Real Madrid’s decision to part company with Xabi Alonso continues to dominate headlines around Europe, and as more details emerge, it becomes evident that the separation was not unexpected.
Instead, it was the outcome of a project that never acquired the one critical component that Alonso had constantly requested.
According to a recent AS story, the former coach felt let down by the club’s management despite having made his intentions plain from the start.
Early promise
When Alonso arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu, he walked into a club that initially placed complete trust in him.
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The board authorized him to try out the effective ideas that had earned him accolades in the Bundesliga.
Real Madrid, after all, was regarded as a squad in need of regeneration and tactical change.
The club followed him up with additions like Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras, and Franco Mastantuono, indicating a long-term strategy rather than quick cures.
No anchor.
However, Alonso discovered a huge problem that extended beyond names and profiles. He made it obvious that his system required a midfield organizer, someone who could manage the tempo and serve as a reference point in possession.
In that setting, Alonso identified the player he believed was best suited to the role. He told the club that Martin Zubimendi was the midfielder he most admired out of the available possibilities.
The Spanish international was valued between €60 million and €70 million, a figure considered reasonable by Real Madrid standards.
The primary stumbling block was timing, since Arsenal had already made significant progress in negotiations for the player.
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