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Real Madrid confirmed Xabi Alonso’s departure as manager following the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, with the former midfielder expressing disappointment over three key areas during his brief spell at the Bernabeu including player contributions and his inability to implement tactical ideas.
Xabi Alonso Departs Real Madrid Role After Spanish Super Cup Final Loss to Barcelona
Alonso’s dismissal cannot be attributed solely to the Super Cup final defeat, as multiple factors contributed to his failure at the Santiago Bernabeu. The manager struggled to maintain control over the dressing room and felt disrespected by players throughout his tenure. His departure marks the end of what many expected would be a longer-term appointment for the former Real Madrid midfielder.
According to ESPN, Alonso was particularly disappointed with the contributions of some of the team’s biggest players during his time in charge. Key figures including Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr were far from their best in calendar year 2025, barely contributing to the team’s success. The squad became overly reliant on Kylian Mbappe, a situation that left Alonso extremely disappointed with the overall balance of his team.
The manager also struggled with his inability to implement his own tactical ideas within Real Madrid’s player-dominated environment, as recently highlighted by Thierry Henry. Alonso introduced radical concepts and an intense training regime, but these ideas were rejected by a large group of players. His frustration with the situation led him to make a ‘nursery’ jibe directed at the squad in November, reflecting his growing discontent with player attitudes.
Alonso has admitted disappointment with his own handling of certain incidents during his tenure, believing he could have managed some situations differently to achieve better squad harmony. The former Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder felt his approach may have contributed to the breakdown in relationships with key players, ultimately undermining his authority at the club.
The Spanish manager’s departure leaves Real Madrid searching for a new head coach, with the club needing to address the underlying issues of player power that contributed to Alonso’s struggles. His brief spell at the Bernabeu serves as a reminder of the unique challenges facing managers at one of world football’s most demanding institutions.
