Matteo Moretto: Xabi Alonso was actually "sacked after losing the dressing room", "left by mutual resignation" claims not true..
2026-01-13 12:38
Spanish online media outlet Relevo's resident renowned Italian transfer journalist Matteo Moretto has refuted various Chinese-language media outlets reports which claimed that Xabi Alonso's departure from Real Madrid was actually a "mutual resignation," and clarified that the Spanish coach was actually "sacked."
According to Moretto's report, Real Madrid, out of respect for his legendary status as a player who helped the club win numerous titles, did not reveal the true reason for Alonso's departure, instead using the euphemistic term "mutual resignation" to save his face.
However, industry insiders had long anticipated this outcome, and the reason was not actually due to his consecutive defeats to arch-rivals Barcelona in El Clásico.
Moretto revealed that Real Madrid had to part ways with Alonso because the former legendary Spain international defensive midfielder, who had dominated the pitch, had lost control of the dressing room.
He stated that even shortly after Alonso took over, the players were already dissatisfied with him even since the FIFA Club World Cup, even before it had ended.
Many key players were extremely unhappy with Alonso's style of play, which was similar to that of his compatriot and former Real Sociedad teammate, Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta, who demanded that players work together according to his preferred tactical system.
These players, who have massive egos, had accustomed to former legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti's minimal interference in their training methods and their freedom to perform themselves on the pitch, were unwilling to accept change and had significant ideological differences with Alonso.
All of this was catalyzed by Brazilian international striker Vinícius Júnior's public statement months earlier that he plans to postpone his contract extension due to dissatisfaction with Alonso, which became the catalyst for the discord between the manager and players.
Later, Rodrygo's marginalization also led to an increasing number of players taking sides.
It is reported that Thibaut Courtois, Ferland Mendy, Brahim Diaz, and Dani Ceballos all expressed their dissatisfaction with Alonso.
Jude Bellingham was particularly critical of his treatment of his national team teammate, Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Ultimately, Kylian Mbappé's behaviour after Real Madrid's defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, where he sullenly pulled his teammates away and refused to obey Alonso's instructions to have the players circle the pitch and applaud the fans to thank them for their support, was deemed too unseemly, forcing the management to make the decision to part ways with Alonso.
Moretto added that, according to insiders, Alberto Arbeloa's coaching style was more like Ancelotti's than Alonso's, making the latter the preferred replacement for Alonso should he had to resign mid-season.
However, Arbeloa's appointment as the new first-team head coach is not permanent.
The La Liga giants have appointed Arbeloa as an interim head coach to continuously assess his ability to continue in the role next season.
Real Madrid still has the absolute right to appoint a new manager to replace Arbeloa next season, but so far, no manager has been confirmed as a candidate.
However, it is certain that former Liverpool legendary manager Jürgen Klopp, who has been the subject of much speculation in recent years, will not be among the candidates, as he had already repeatedly said that he has no intention of returning to coaching in the near future.
