Not Fair, Not Final: Alonso Refuses Real Madrid Exit

Overview

The Athletic presents a different take on Xabi Alonso's departure from Real Madrid, suggesting the coach did not agree with the decision and called it unfair.

Alonso was reportedly analyzing the defeat to Barcelona with his staff when he was summoned to a training-ground meeting with Jose Angel Sanchez and informed of his dismissal.

This account clashes with earlier reports, including AS, which claimed Alonso requested to leave and even offered his resignation after the loss.

Aftermath

AS argued that the club's crisis extended beyond the Clasico, rooted in deeper tensions inside the locker room.

Fans noted that Alonso deleted most Madrid-era photos from his social media, keeping only the moment of his unveiling as Madrid's coach—a quiet signal of his displeasure with his Madrid experience.

Facing the upheaval, Real Madrid quickly appointed Álvaro Arbeloa as the new first-team coach, aiming to restore discipline and cohesion after the painful 2-3 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final held in Saudi Arabia.

In the wake of this chapter, Madrid hopes for renewed stability as it looks to rebound in the season.

Punchline: If honesty were a transfer, Alonso would be captain; the club would still be negotiating the refund for all the drama.

Punchline: Madrid’s problems are bigger than a Clasico—it's like trying to reload a sniper rifle with a transfer window, and somehow the target keeps moving.