Foreign media: Real Madrid generals have differences, Alonso wants "order", players want "space"

According to reports, Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso "thinks he is Guardiola" and his "alienated" and "rigid" management style has made some Real Madrid players dissatisfied.

According to "The Athletic", the media analyzed Alonso's performance in the first few months after succeeding Ancelotti as Real Madrid coach in June.

Alonso coaches Real Madrid: key details

In the 2025/26 season, Vinicius played the full 90 minutes only three times.

Guler has become an important player in Alonso's midfield lineup.

The only loss this season was to Atletico Madrid in the same city derby, and they lost 2-5 in La Liga.

Mbappe has scored 16 goals in 13 games this season.

Replacing legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti is inherently challenging, but Alonso has always been Real Madrid's ideal candidate.

Ancelotti's relaxed and easy-going management style on the training ground has created a positive atmosphere for the club, and his offensive philosophy has also allowed players such as Vinicius, Rodrygo and Bellingham to express themselves freely.

Alonso has earned similar respect for his success as a manager at Bayer Leverkusen and, more importantly, for his illustrious playing career.

The 43-year-old coach received guidance from Ancelotti during his time at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He has won 14 trophies in his club career, including winning the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005. The 2003 Spanish Player of the Year also won the World Cup and two European Cups with the national team.

Real Madrid fans know that he is a football legend, but this does not mean that it relieves his pressure, nor does it mean that he can get more time than others.

In addition, as players have an increasing voice and Real Madrid has many world-class stars, Alonso must convince the team that he is the right coach, which depends on his on-the-spot command, training plans and communication methods at both the personal and coaching levels.

The article in "The Athletic" revealed Alonso's coaching methods at the Bernabeu. Despite some positives in terms of results, he has reportedly upset several players.

It is said that "tensions are growing between Alonso and some players", with the first-team stars "dissatisfied with his management style and several important changes implemented since taking over in the summer".

Alonso adopted a "more harsh and rigid approach" to the team's style, being "alienated and inaccessible", which was completely opposite to the "widely popular" coaching style of former coach Carlo Ancelotti, causing some players to feel "disrespected and dissatisfied."

The Athletic is fortunate to have sources within the club and has obtained some fascinating quotes. Of course, these sources remain anonymous to protect their relationships.

"Alonso tried to ensure more discipline and order in his daily management, including controlling the schedule, increasing gym training at a preventive level, and organizing team and individual video analysis sessions."

"Some people have won a lot of honors without doing these things, so when these requirements are imposed on them, they complain. This is not a secret, and some cases have been made public. This is normal. , especially for players who were once untouchable."

"From having a coach who barely participated in training, to having a coach who looks like an ordinary player."

"He thinks he is Guardiola, but at the moment he is just Alonso."

So, Real Madrid players can't do whatever they want under this meticulous coach, and they don't like it.

If the players accept Alonso's philosophy and the team continues to win games, he may become the next Guardiola.

One of the players dissatisfied with Alonso is Vinicius.

He stormed off the pitch when his number was taken off during Sunday's Clasico victory over arch-rivals Barcelona.

After seeing Rodrygo waiting to be substituted, he asked five times: "Why me, it's always me. I'm leaving the team, it's better for me to leave, I'm leaving."

The 25-year-old player said as he walked straight to the tunnel, ignoring Alonso, who also ignored the Brazilian player.

On Wednesday, Vinicius apologized to "team-mates, the club and the president" but did not apologize to Alonso.

"Today, I would like to apologize to all Madridistas for my reaction when I was substituted in the El Clasico. Just as I already apologized in person during today's training, I also want to apologize again to my teammates, the club and the president."

As "The Athletic" said, Vinicius obviously intentionally omitted his coach in the statement.

In summary, this is a "necessary apology and a targeted omission."