Locker Room Wars: Perez Questions Alonso's Real Madrid Leadership

Rising tensions inside Real Madrid's corridors have centered on Xabi Alonso as Florentino Perez questions his ability to manage the dressing room and handle a squad full of stars and egos.

According to the Spanish newspaper Sport, the 0-1 defeat to Liverpool and recent incidents in the Clasico against Barcelona reinforced Perez's belief that Alonso's project isn't moving in the right direction yet.

Sources say the roots go back to the painful defeat to Atlético Madrid at the Metropolitano, when Perez decided to put Clasico and Liverpool matches under review to evaluate the coach's work.

It notes that failure at that stage gave Perez the chance to point fingers at those around him who promoted the idea of a 'modern Real Madrid' under Alonso, even though he was never the first choice to replace Ancelotti.

A Locker Room Crisis

The Spanish newspaper Sport reports that the Clasico and the Liverpool setback amplified Perez's doubts about Alonso's ability to lead the dressing room, with Vinicius Junior's angry reaction after being substituted highlighted as a flashpoint, despite Perez having warned the coach about the Brazilian's role.

The club did not discipline Vinicius, leaving Alonso to face the heat alone, with the Brazilian apologizing to teammates without addressing the coach directly.

Sport also linked tensions to statements from Federico Valverde about his role as a wing-back, plus the mismanagement of teenager Endrick and a late substitution of Trent Alexander-Arnold in the Liverpool game; together these events reportedly underscored a rift between several players and Alonso's method.

Tactical and Physical Questions

On the tactical side, recent results deepened Perez's doubts about Alonso's ability to evolve the playing style. The Clasico win over Barcelona under Flick did not differ much from the Ancelotti era, with a strong midfield and weak defense relying on quick counters until the opponent erred.

Perez believes this version of Real Madrid lacks the stability and identity that the "modern Real Madrid" project claimed by Alonso's inner circle promised. As the old quote goes, "Real Madrid trains itself—just put the best on the pitch and they'll play themselves." Not the most accurate coaching manual, but hey, it's a club with swagger.

Beyond tactics, Perez worries about the team's physical conditioning, a problem seen last season. Alonso reportedly hired a fitness coach at Valdebebas, using modern methods; yet Madrid ran four kilometers less than Liverpool at Anfield, according to Sport. Players reportedly put in max effort in big games like the Clasico, not in every match.

Under Pressure and the Uncertain Future

Following the Liverpool defeat, Perez's circle pointed to a reality: Alonso wins like Carlo Ancelotti, but when things go wrong, he behaves like Jose Mourinho. Alonso's post-match comment that "the match was decided by details" drew a sharp reaction from the board, seen as a Mourinho-style excuse.

Sport adds that Perez views the Liverpool display as proof that Alonso's project lacks stability and identity. He also noted nine crucial saves by Courtois that spared a potentially heavier defeat, reinforcing the sense that the team is not yet playing the way the boss envisioned.

Alonso remains under pressure and is currently enduring one of his toughest spells at Real Madrid. Confidence from close associates around Perez has waned since the appointment, even if some still support him. The Sport's final line: despite the pressure, Alonso remains in his post because Klopp is still the preferred option if the call ever comes, though Klopp often doesn't answer his calls and instead sends a voicemail into the abyss of football history.

Punchline 1: If leadership were measured in trophies, Alonso would be leading the league; unfortunately the metric is results.

Punchline 2: Real Madrid's dressing room drama is so intense that even the water cooler files a grievance.