Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed that club president Florentino Pérez supports him. He said this while preparing the team for the Champions League game with Olympiacos.
Madrid sit top of La Liga and have lost only two of 17 matches this season, to Atlético Madrid and Liverpool. Still, at the club even a draw can be seen as a problem. As Carlo Ancelotti once mused: “One thing I learned at Real Madrid is that a draw here is the prelude to a crisis. No jokes. You have to get used to that.”
Madrid have drawn two matches in a row since the loss at Anfield. Those results came during reports of unrest in the dressing room. Vinicius Junior is named among the players said to be unhappy with Alonso. The forward has shown open signs of disagreement and is now thought to be refusing to sign a new contract because of the strain with the coach.
Spanish media first reported that Pérez backs Alonso, and Alonso confirmed the report. He also spoke about the need to manage big personalities at the club. “It’s as important as the footballing philosophy, the tactical work, the physical work. Managing personalities, getting the best out of the players, making them feel as good as possible. It’s a process that has different ups and downs, which you have to know how to handle well, in any team and especially at Real Madrid.”
Other reports say unnamed “big stars” are “frustrated,” “disrespected and dissatisfied” with Alonso, calling him “distant and unapproachable.” Some have summed up their view with: “He thinks he’s Pep Guardiola.”
Alonso would not say if players had tried to undermine him. “You have to have a lot of respect for the players and the groups, and how they prepare. I don’t want to and I’m not going to talk about that,” he said.
He added that the team must not lose focus because of outside noise. “I know what the dressing room is like, the moments you have to go through and live with the external noise. We try to manage it and talk about it, these are situations that happen at this club and we mustn’t let them make us lose focus.”
I think its great that the Real Madrid president is standing by Xabi Alonso. Loyalty is important in a team!
I think the tension in the Real Madrid squad is just media hype. Xabi Alonso is a key player and deserves support.
I think the tensions within the squad are blown out of proportion. Xabi Alonso has the support of the president, lets see how things unfold.
Is Xabi Alonso the key to solving Real Madrids internal conflicts or just a temporary band-aid? Lets discuss! 🤔🔥