The Three Real Madrid Players Who Hated Life Under Xabi Alonso
Several Real Madrid players were thriving at the Santiago Bernabéu before Xabi Alonso’s arrival, but that situation reportedly changed as his tenure progressed. According to reports, a handful of key figures within the squad are unlikely to be disappointed by the Spaniard’s departure following a difficult period in charge.
Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham reportedly clashed with Xabi Alonso’s tactics and management style, contributing to his exit from Real Madrid despite an initially strong run of results.
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As detailed by The Athletic, Vinícius Júnior, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham all encountered problems adapting to Alonso’s tactical ideas and coaching methods. These internal challenges have been referenced as one of the factors behind his exit from the club.
Real Madrid officially confirmed on Monday that Xabi Alonso was no longer the team’s head coach. Despite the decision, sources indicate that the separation occurred on friendly terms between the club and the former Bayer Leverkusen manager.
Alonso’s spell in Madrid began positively, with Los Blancos winning 17 of his first 20 matches. However, performances and results reportedly dipped as the season wore on, placing increasing pressure on his position.
The report suggests that tensions first became apparent during an October 2025 clash with Barcelona. Although Real Madrid emerged victorious, Alonso and Vinícius reportedly clashed after the Brazilian was substituted. Vinícius, unhappy with the decision, declined to shake the coach’s hand. The club chose not to discipline the forward, a response that allegedly left Alonso feeling undermined and stripped of authority.
Beyond that incident, both Valverde and Bellingham are said to have struggled with Alonso’s management approach and his tactical choices. Their roles within the squad became less settled compared to previous campaigns.
Bellingham, who enjoyed an outstanding debut season in 2023–24 and remained influential the following year, has found consistency harder to achieve this term. The England midfielder no longer appeared to be the automatic midfield starter he was under Carlo Ancelotti.
Valverde’s situation was also affected by Alonso’s tactical flexibility. The Uruguayan was deployed in multiple roles throughout the season, and his adaptability often meant sacrificing a regular place in midfield, the position he prefers most.
