‘He thinks he’s Guardiola, but for now he’s just Xabi’ – Senior players unimpressed with Real Madrid manager

Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso secured his first significant victory at the Bernabeu since his return, defeating Barcelona 2-1 in El Clasico on Sunday. This win marked a positive start under his leadership, breaking a streak of four consecutive losses to their rivals.

However, the victory was marred by dissent from Vinicius Junior, who publicly expressed anger after being substituted with 20 minutes remaining, despite his strong performance. The Brazilian forward is now contemplating an exit from Real Madrid, citing an unsustainable relationship with Alonso that may not last beyond the season.

Alonso has implemented new rules and standards within the squad, focusing on commitment, punctuality, and intensity, as detailed in a report from The Athletic. He emphasized that no player is guaranteed their spot, and these changes were agreed upon with senior dressing room figures after the Club World Cup.

On the positive side, Alonso's coaching staff has impressed with their work, and his tactical acumen has been praised. Key players like Kylian Mbappe are performing at a high level, and Alonso's faith in young talents has been recognized as an early success in his tenure.

Despite these positives, not all players are supportive of Alonso's methods. Some in the dressing room view him as distant and unapproachable, a stark contrast to his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti. Reports indicate frustration among senior figures who feel dissatisfied and disrespected, with concerns over a lack of freedom to express themselves.

Specific incidents highlight the tension, such as Fede Valverde's complaint about being played as a right-back instead of his natural midfield position, leading to his benching and continued use in that role for four games. Alonso has been compared to Pep Guardiola by some, but critics question his approach, though he remains convinced that his culture change is necessary to correct bad habits.

The Clasico win provides Alonso with more time to implement his vision, but he faces challenges in gaining the support of senior players for dressing room stability and long-term success, especially as the team adjusts to his system.