Xabi Alonso faced unfair treatment at Real Madrid, according to club legend Michel. The former Spanish international suggested that Alonso was made a scapegoat for results that were not entirely his responsibility.
Alonso was dismissed as coach and replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa after a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Speaking with Radio Marca, Michel questioned whether the change truly reflected a gap in coaching quality.
“Xabi Alonso’s departure could have been expected from the start of the season,” Michel said. “The reports and commentary made it clear that something was coming. But do you think there is a big difference between what Xabi does and what Arbeloa does? Decisions are often easiest to make against the coach. Almost always, it is the coach who leaves. Xabi had not lost that many matches either.”
Michel also reflected on the broader pressures coaches face at elite clubs. “When you hire coaches, you cannot change everything overnight. There is always a timeframe. I remember when I was younger, Radi Antic was sacked while we were leading the league, and we ended up losing the title in Tenerife. Was that the coach’s fault? The players and the squad you have are always the main focus.”
Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid highlights the intense scrutiny coaches face at top-level football clubs. Despite his reputation and knowledge of the game, external pressures and expectations often overshadow measured evaluation. Michel’s comments underline a persistent issue in professional football: coaching decisions can be more about perception and timing than the actual quality of work.
This episode raises questions about managerial stability and the fairness of club policies. At Real Madrid, results-driven impatience frequently dictates coaching changes, even when the margin between success and failure is minimal. Alonso’s experience is emblematic of how high-profile clubs can prioritize optics over long-term planning.
