Xabi Alonso’s time at Real Madrid has come to a premature end, and all the fingers are now pointed at Kylian Mbappe because it surely doesn’t look like a sporting decision behind this. Recent incidents after the El Clasico have raised a few eybrows on if Mbappe has too much authority inside Real Madrid.
Mbappe Undermines Xabi Alonso’s Authority after Supercopa de España Final
Madrid players were preparing for the Guard of Honor for Barcelona after the match ended.
In multiple news reports and video footage, it’s clearly seen that Mbappe orders players and the coach himself not to give the Guard of Honor. The very next moment, Mbappe leaves the pitch first, and not only him, but many players followed him despite Xabi’s request for the Guard of Honor.
This shows the level of authority Mbappe holds in the dressing room, which is even more than Xabi’s. This is a problematic environment for any club where the power lies in the hands of players rather than the manager. Fans are furious with this behaviour and lack of sportsmanship from not only Mbappe but also other players.
🚨 Xabi Alonso’s authority completely undermined by Kylian Mbappé last night. 👀
He wanted the team to form a guard of honour for Barcelona, Mbappé refused and the players listened to Mbappé. 🤯
He had no choice but to leave after that. 👋 pic.twitter.com/HXdHTLxAN7
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) January 12, 2026
Club Official Statement
Comunicado Oficial: Xabi Alonso.
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 12, 2026
OFFICIAL STATEMENT.12/01/2026
Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first team coach.
Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.
Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.
History of Mbappe with Managers
Kylian Mbappe has had a rough history with Managers throughout his career so far. Famous clips of Luis Enrique explaining his tactics, and he needs to press more to succeed in his system. Mbappe, though, never listened to him. In his last season with PSG, Enrique needed to sub him off and keep him on the bench for almost half a season. The reason was simple, just because of the Frenchman’s lack of obedience, character, and commitment to the system, with behaviour and ego issues.
Mbappé era el cáncer del PSG. Luis Enrique se lo dijo bien clarito. Si gana el PSG la Champions no habrá sitio donde se pueda esconder este. Su carrera va a estar llena de dinero pero no de gloria. pic.twitter.com/z8qxa4nrBc
— REY CHOLO (@Reycholosimeone) April 30, 2025
It was not a coincidence that PSG won their first UEFA Champions League title, the very next season, Mbappe left. Multiple French reporters and PSG fans had continuously blamed Mbappe for his ego issues. Enrique, by winning a Sextuple with PSG, proved that Mbappe was the real problem behind the Club’s failures over the years.
Xabi’s Mismanagement & Mbappe’s Stubbornness
Xabi is a good tactician and a coach, as he proved with his Bayer Leverkusen Invincible season. Though the important skill that not only he but most young managers these days lack is Man Management.
Ancelotti was the one who was a great manager. He kept the whole
Dressing room intact and united throughout his tenure. He solved the Vinicius and Benzema fiasco. That’s one of the reasons he was so successful. In Real Madrid, big egos are a normal scenario, as every player is one of the best in the world. To manage it, one needs to have a certain level of authority, which Xabi lacked.
Mabppe’s tactical stubbornness worked as fuel to this fire. He has always been very stubborn about his defensive input and lack of pressing. This was brought to light by Luis Enrique. His lack of work rate puts his teammates under more workload and pressure. This backfires in defensive transitions, as we have witnessed in recent months.
In modern football, a player with zero defensive work rate is a huge risk. Until and unless it’s an elite system like Pep Guardiola and Haaland, it’s a gamble.
Conclusion
Real Madrid has seen a very rare young manager to succeed. It’s always a veteran with experience and a stature to command. Whether it’s Ancelotti, Mourinho, Zidane, or Vicente Del Bosque. Young managers just can’t command that respect and blind obedience from players of this pedigree. This is the most important thing for a manager to make his tactics and system work on the pitch.
Real Madrid’s board has decided to go with ÁLVARO ARBELOA for the rest of the season. Florentino Perez needs to find a good, experienced, and elite manager to turn around this mess. Prominent names, according to reports, include Jürgen Klopp, Luis Enrique, and Enzo Maresca.
Only time will tell who will be the next manager for Real Madrid.
