Xabi Alonso Reveals Bitter Experience at Real Madrid: 'I
August 3, 2026 ·
Xabi Alonso reflects on his difficult time as Real Madrid coach, acknowledging the lessons learned and stating his motivation for his new role at Chelsea.
Xabi Alonso Reveals Bitter Experience at Real Madrid: 'I Am
According to Sports.
Background
Xabi Alonso, who previously served as Real Madrid coach, is now preparing for a new challenge at Chelsea. His experience at Madrid, although brief, provides a valuable perspective that can help him in managing a team in the Premier League. With his background as a former top player, Alonso is expected to bring a fresh and effective approach to Stamford Bridge.
Why this is important
Xabi Alonso's experience as Real Madrid coach provides insight into the challenges coaches face at a club with high expectations. Despite an impressive winning percentage, the lackluster finish shows just how tight standards are at the Santiago Bernabéu. It also highlights how pressure at a big club can affect relationships with players and overall team performance.
Main Points
- Xabi Alonso Reveals Bitter Experience at Real Madrid: 'I.
- Xabi Alonso reflects on his difficult time as Real Madrid coach, acknowledges the lessons learned and states his motivation for his new role at Chelsea.
- Xabi Alonso opens up on Real Madrid setback: ‘I got a scar, but it has healed’.
Xabi Alonso revealed that his tenure as Real Madrid coach in the first half of last season was one of the most confusing periods in the club's history. The Spanish coach was appointed at the start of the 2025-26 season to replace Carlo Ancelotti, and initially, his progress at the club looked promising, especially when it came to the Club World Cup. However, as time went by, Xabi lost control and good relations with the players, until he finally resigned after the defeat in the Supercopa de España against Barcelona. In less than 233 days, he had to leave the coaching chair at the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite achieving a winning percentage above 70 percent, the results were not enough to meet the high standards applied by Madrid.
In an interview with The Athletic, Alonso reflected on his disappointment over his short tenure as Real Madrid coach. He admits that the experience left scars that are rare in his extraordinary career. However, instead of blaming the club or showing bitterness, the former Madrid midfielder described the experience as a painful lesson that made him stronger for the new challenge at Chelsea. "Thankfully, there are not many scars in my career," said Alonso. "So, I got a scar, but it has healed. Now I am very motivated and determined to enjoy the next step as much as when I started in Madrid," he explained.
The statement says a lot about Alonso's character. He understands that coaches at Real Madrid are judged in different ways. Good results alone are rarely enough at the Spanish club, and his relationship with players may be an even bigger problem. Alonso also admitted that this experience forced him to examine the decisions he made himself, instead of focusing only on factors outside his control. "Looking back, I take the positives and the things that didn't go well," he said. "I was very critical of myself, thinking about what I could have done better because things weren't going as expected."
This Spanish suggests that the problems faced are not limited to one area. His adaptability, tactical ideas and relationship with the squad are all part of the assessment. "There was a lot of experience, adaptations that I had to make, some things that worked and some that didn't in terms of the game, in terms of player management," added Alonso. "It's a mix of everything," he concluded.
Even though his tenure at Real Madrid did not have the peak achievements of his time as a player, Alonso still showed respect for the club. His words were very balanced and mature without having to blame the other party. His previous success at Bayer Leverkusen proved his coaching qualities, but Madrid provided a new reality of how to manage a bigger dressing room in every sense. Now, as he begins a new chapter at Chelsea, Xabi hopes the lessons learned from that experience will help him do a better job in London. Chelsea have a young squad that can develop under the Spanish coach, and it remains to be seen how Chelsea will perform under Xabi Alonso.
What happened next
With Alonso now focused on his role at Chelsea, many hope he can apply the lessons learned from his spell at Real Madrid. This season, Chelsea is expected to achieve better results in the league, and Alonso's presence could be a key factor in improving the team's performance. Meanwhile, Real Madrid will continue to look for a coach who can meet their high expectations, especially after the defeat in the Supercopa de España against Barcelona.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid?
Xabi Alonso resigned as Real Madrid coach following the Supercopa de España defeat against Barcelona, after less than 233 days in the post.
What is Xabi Alonso's winning percentage while coaching Real Madrid?
Xabi Alonso achieved a winning percentage above 70 percent during his tenure at Real Madrid.
How will Xabi Alonso's results impact Real Madrid's position in the table?
Despite having a high winning percentage, the results were not enough to meet the high standards set by Real Madrid, which led to Alonso being sacked.
Who will replace Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid?
Xabi Alonso was appointed as Real Madrid coach to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the start of the 2025-26 season.
What are Xabi Alonso's plans after leaving Real Madrid?
After leaving Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso stated that he was motivated to take on a new challenge at Chelsea.