The Bernabéu Paradox: Why Xabi Alonso Struggled at Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso embodies the modern manager: tactically flexible, detail-obsessed, and rooted in positional play, while placing equal emphasis on player development, emotional intelligence, and collective structure.

At Real Madrid, however, this was not enough. Xabi started his tenure at Real Madrid on June 1st, 2025, replacing former manager Carlo Ancelotti on a 3-year contract. Just over seven months later, Xabi was relieved of his duties, despite being only four points behind league leaders Barcelona.

The Florentino Pérez effect.

Florentino Pérez has transformed Real Madrid from a traditional football institution into a global corporate superpower, and that transformation defines the club as much as its trophies.

In Madrid, the president is the constant, not the manager. Pérez’s authority sits above sporting projects, meaning coaches operate within a framework where commercial value, star power, and institutional image often outweigh long-term tactical development. Managers are not architects; they are caretakers of an existing myth.

Under Pérez, Real Madrid are built to win now. Managers are not afforded time for transition and tactical implementation. They are expected to give elite results instantly, regardless of squad balance or tactical fit.

Modern managers prioritise process, identity and evolution. Pérez’s Madrid prioritises certainty, hierarchy, and spectacle. When those philosophies clash, the manager almost always loses. With Xabi being the perfect case study. Elite players hold more institutional weight than the coach, with Vinicus Jr’s contract situation being the most recent display of selfish stars throwing their toys out of the pram, saying he won’t renew, whilst his relationship with Xabi remains difficult. Essentially creating a media divide, and with his superstar status, it was only going to end up one way.

Pérez views managers as replaceable components rather than long-term leaders. Stability is sacrificed for control, reinforcing a culture where survival depends on trophies, not progress.

Winning matters—but so does how Madrid is perceived. Pérez’s Madrid protects its aura of dominance, making moments of vulnerability or rebuilding culturally unacceptable. Even brief lapses in form can be interpreted as existential failure.

Players’ resistance to tactical change.

A further factor in Alonso’s difficulties was the limited willingness of certain players to fully adapt to his tactical philosophy. Alonso’s approach relies on positional discipline, structured build-up play, and a high level of collective responsibility—principles that require consistent engagement and tactical obedience from the squad. Within an environment accustomed to individual freedom and established hierarchies, this directly contrasts the approach Carlo Ancelotti took with his ability to accommodate individual personalities rather than impose rigid tactical frameworks.

For some players, particularly those accustomed to operating with a high degree of autonomy, the demands of Alonso’s system proved challenging. The shift from instinctive, player-led decision-making to a more controlled and system-oriented approach created friction, reducing cohesion and slowing the implementation of his ideas. In such circumstances, resistance did not necessarily take the form of open dissent but rather manifested in uneven execution and a lack of tactical consistency on the pitch.

Jude Bellingham was highlighted as a player who seemed to oppose Xabi Alonso’s ideas; he dismissed those rumours today, however, with a strong statement. 'Until now I've let far too many of these slide, always hoping the truth will come to light in its own time,' 'But honestly... What a load of s***.

What does Xabi’s future hold?

Alonso will certainly not be short of options as he looks for his future club, with Liverpool, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich all having already been touted as a future destination, not even 24 hours after his departure. This shows his reputation has not been hindered with many of the sporting directors and those around them making the decisions, understanding Real Madrid’s culture is not something that can be replicated.

What Xabi offers is not something that comes around often. He led Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten 23/24 Bundesliga campaign, whilst taking them to a Europa League final and winning the DFB Pokal. His innovative nature saw him vary between a 3-2-5 and a 3-4-2-1 formation, creating a possession-based attacking style of play.

For now, we will have to wait and see whether Alonso is in charge of another team before the end of the season. In my personal opinion i think Arne Slot, if current performances continue to disappoint, will be let go at the end of the season, and Xabi Alonso will replace him. This is purely to do with Liverpool still not offering Slot a new contract despite him having just one year left in the summer, and the seeming reluctance to give any more investment until the summer. Could it be a hint towards the recruitment team wanting to back the new manager? I’m excited to find out.