Argentine football icon Jorge Valdano, a former Real Madrid player and coach, has launched strong criticism at club president Florentino Pérez over the way he handled the dismissal of head coach Xabi Alonso, while also casting doubt on the capabilities of the newly appointed coach.
Real Madrid announced on Monday, in a surprise official statement, the end of Xabi Alonso’s tenure as first-team coach by mutual agreement, alongside the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa as his successor.
Valdano accused Pérez of failing to provide Alonso with sufficient backing during his time in charge, which began in June following the departure of veteran Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti. Speaking to Movistar, Valdano said Alonso appeared unsettled from the very first day, stressing that the coach never truly felt supported by the club.
He added that even during Pérez’s Christmas speech, Alonso’s name was not mentioned, describing the omission as particularly telling. According to Valdano, the coach constantly operated in an atmosphere of instability.
Valdano also defended Alonso’s work, highlighting the difficult circumstances he faced, including a long list of injuries and the absence of a controlling midfielder capable of imposing the team’s style of play. He explained that many teams lose their identity when they lack a strategic midfield presence, and Real Madrid currently suffer from that exact problem. Alonso, he said, tried to compensate, but did not have the necessary profile at his disposal, which ultimately shaped his short-lived journey at the club.
At the same time, Valdano expressed clear reservations about the decision to appoint Arbeloa, arguing that he lacks experience at the highest level. He admitted that he had not closely followed Real Madrid Castilla this season, but emphasized that Arbeloa has no real background in elite senior football.
However, Valdano noted that Arbeloa’s deep knowledge of the club and his familiarity with Alonso could work in his favor, as it gives him insight into the dynamics of the first team. He concluded that time will tell whether Arbeloa can prove capable of competing on all fronts.
During his spell as head coach, Xabi Alonso led Real Madrid in 34 matches across all competitions, recording 24 wins, four draws, and six defeats. His final match was a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, a result widely seen as a key factor behind his departure.
In its official statement, Real Madrid confirmed the decision to end Alonso’s tenure by mutual consent, praising him as a club legend who embodied its values at every stage. The club expressed its gratitude to Alonso and his coaching staff for their dedication and efforts, wishing them success in the next chapter of their careers.
