Sport News
Real Madrid
Shockwaves in Madrid: Players Found Out About Alonso's Sacking from the News!
Author: Tamas | Category: Football / International | Date: 2026.01.13. Reading Time: 3.5 minutes ⏱️
New spicy details have emerged from the Santiago Bernabéu: while the official statement mentions a "mutual agreement," Spanish media reports suggest that President Florentino Pérez made the decision entirely on his own, leaving the locker room completely blindsided by the change.
Despite previous reports of friction with Vinícius Júnior and "player power," the latest leaks suggest that a large part of the Real Madrid squad actually believed in the "Alonso Project." According to Marca, the team members were struck by lightning when Monday's announcement dropped: several stars reportedly found out they no longer had a manager through social media.
Two Versions: Who is Telling the Truth?
Currently, two completely contradictory stories are circulating in the Madrid press regarding the breakup:
The "Official" Version: According to this, Alonso himself threw in the towel on Monday morning. He had enough of working on the "edge of the abyss" since last November, and after the Champions League failures against Liverpool and Manchester City, trust had evaporated. The board accepted his departure, stating that the team's attitude indeed needed improvement.
The "Pérez" Version: According to Mundo Deportivo, there was no mutual agreement. President Florentino Pérez was reportedly left furious by the team's performance in the 3–2 Super Cup final loss to Barcelona. After the defeat, the President acted on his own authority and summarily dismissed the coach who, just seven months ago, was welcomed as a savior.
Betrayal After a Recovery?
The timing of the decision is particularly strange because Real Madrid's form seemed to be improving toward the end of winter. After four consecutive league wins, the team reached the Super Cup final, and the relationship between the coach and the squad appeared to have normalized. The players felt the direction was right—which is why there is such outrage and shock that the board took such a drastic step following the Super Cup failure.
What's Next?
The temporary appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa is likely just the calm before the storm. As players process the unexpected coaching change, speculation has already begun: after such a locker room shock, will the team be able to perform effectively in the Champions League and the final stretch of the league?
One thing is certain: Xabi Alonso's departure has not cleared the air; instead, it has raised even more questions about Real Madrid's future strategy.
Which version do you believe? Did Alonso leave on his own, or did Pérez fire him?