The newspaper AS reported that Xabi Alonso requested to leave Real Madrid after the 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Real Madrid announced on Monday evening the dismissal of Alonso, despite previous reports in the Spanish media that he would remain until the end of the season and that the management was satisfied with his performance.
According to AS, there is shock in the dressing room following Alonso’s dismissal, which came without warning and with the knowledge of only a very small number of officials.
The newspaper claims that the dismissal was undoubtedly a mutual decision, as Alonso was the first to suggest leaving after failing to implement his desired playing style and losing control of the dressing room.
Real Madrid’s management deemed Alonso’s dismissal necessary after his relationship with several players, particularly Vinicius Junior, deteriorated recently, with the latter making his continued stay contingent on the Basque coach’s departure.
Ultimately, the circumstances were perfectly suited for a mutual termination of Alonso’s contract, meaning the club will not have to continue paying his salary until the summer of 2027.
Florentino Pérez’s administration will offer its full support to the new coach, Álvaro Arbeloa, who is said to have been brought in by the president himself, and is confident in his ability to quickly turn things around at the Santiago Bernabéu.
