Real Madrid decided to call an end to Xabi Alonso’s reign at the club on Monday after seven months. Los Blancos had many reasons for doing so, but one problem was behind their decision. Although it was explained that it was done by consensus, a number of insiders say that it was pushed too much by the group.
The main problem that made things happen so quickly was Antonio Pintus. On Sunday night, the line from the club was that Alonso would not be sacked, but less than 24 hours later, he was removed. Alonso was called to a meeting on Monday in Valdebebas, to discuss the problems facing the club after losing to Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup final.
Petition of Antonio Pintus
It is explained by Marca that in that meeting, Real Madrid asked Alonso to bring former fitness coach Antonio Pintus to help with the physical condition of the players. Pintus had been sidelined by Alonso, and stepped into a ‘Head of Operations’ role that by all accounts had little to do with the first team. Alonso came with his staff, Alberto Encinas and Ismael Camenforte came with him from Bayer Leverkusen.
The team believed that Alonso’s methods and his demands from the players were skillful, he was asking a lot from the players, who were mentally and physically tired. Meanwhile, Alonso felt that changing his coaching staff was a red line he would not allow the team to cross. Sadly, Pintus returned to his first team duties as fitness coach less than an hour after the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa.
Lack of improvement from a drop in form
Alonso has been in poor form since the heavy defeat to Celta Vigo in early December, which was followed by defeat to Manchester City. Alonso then put together a run of five consecutive victories, but Diario AS say faith has been waning among officials since Celta won at the Bernabeu.
The management of the team wanted to improve the team and despite the victory, they did not see it. One of the areas they looked into was player fitness, with equally disappointing results. ‘Doing the same things, it was impossible for him to continue,’ ran the AS headline.
Alonso’s relationship with the players
One of the biggest issues cited in his exit was his relationship with players, starting with Vinicius Junior. Real Madrid were not impressed with his handling of the Brazilian, who struggled to find form, but Alonso also had run-ins with a number of other players, most notably Fede Valverde, and the dressing was unbelievably good.
Playing style – or lack thereof
The arrival of Alonso’s era had to come with a style of play, which was evident in the opening two months of the season, and in the Club World Cup. But the newly installed press evaporated after the defeat to Atletico Madrid in September, and Alonso’s desire to please the Real Madrid fans was far from being fulfilled. In their 3-2 defeat by Barcelona, their method was very similar to last season.
It has been a difficult season for Los Blancos, despite Alonso starting with 13 wins out of 15. Their 5-2 derby loss against Atletico in the derby game however, saw a turning point as Vinicius’ outburst during El Clasico. At that time, not only did the results turn around, but Real Madrid looked out of shape in terms of style.
