The Major Hurdles Facing New Real Madrid Manager Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso is set to make a triumphant return to Real Madrid, stepping in as head coach following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure. He will take the reins as the team prepares for the upcoming Club World Cup.

AFP Sport delves into three key challenges that the 43-year-old Spaniard will need to navigate in the approaching weeks and months as he aims to steer the club back towards winning major trophies, especially after a season where Los Blancos ended without silverware.

Rebuilding the Team’s Structure

Alonso’s predecessor, Ancelotti, frequently highlighted the lack of balance in the team over the past season, expressing concerns about insufficient “collective commitment”.

Essentially, the squad was overloaded with attackers that needed to be accommodated on the pitch, while defensive injuries left the backline vulnerable. Furthermore, the club failed to sign a direct replacement for midfielder Toni Kroos, who retired last summer.

With French superstar Kylian Mbappe set to join Madrid at the conclusion of his contract with Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, this transfer presents a significant shift for a team that previously secured both the Champions League and La Liga titles.

Initially, Mbappe and Vinicius Junior faced challenges sharing the pitch due to positioning overlaps. Despite Mbappe finding his footing as a central forward and scoring 43 goals across all competitions, their combined presence sometimes weakened Madrid’s defensive stability.

Alonso must devise a strategy that allows these two stars to harmoniously coexist, while ensuring Madrid remain solid in defence during transitions.

Moreover, veteran midfielder Luka Modric’s exit following the Club World Cup will strip Alonso of even more tactical finesse, skill, and experience in midfield.

Having primarily deployed a 3-4-3 formation at Bayer Leverkusen, this tactical system might suit Madrid’s squad well, especially with the anticipated addition of Trent Alexander-Arnold from Liverpool and a confirmed move for Bournemouth’s Dean Huijsen.

Navigating the Superstars

One area where Ancelotti truly excelled was in managing a squad brimming with high-profile talents and ego-driven players.

During his first tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, he maximised the potential of stars like Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Gareth Bale, and he played a pivotal role in transforming Vinicius into a prominent star in his second spell.

Although the Italian sometimes downplayed claims of his prowess as a people manager, it is crucial not to overlook the importance of maintaining good relationships within the club, including with president Florentino Perez, the leading players, and even the media, all of whom kept Ancelotti in good stead.

Alonso possesses a charisma that could serve him well, similar to Zinedine Zidane, another former Madrid player who found great success as coach.

A significant factor in Ancelotti’s downfall was the team’s poor performance in matches against their fiercest rivals, Barcelona, where they suffered defeats in all four Clasicos this season.

Barcelona’s resounding 4-0 victory in La Liga in October marked a crucial moment, showcasing Madrid’s struggles at home and signalling a challenging season ahead.

The 4-3 win in the return fixture effectively dethroned Madrid, reclaiming the Spanish title for Barcelona – a match that could have seen an even wider margin without being unjust to Los Blancos.

Additionally, Barcelona triumphed over Real Madrid 3-2 in the Copa del Rey final and 5-2 in the Spanish Super Cup final, completing a domestic treble and leaving Madrid in disarray.

Alonso will need to analyse Hansi Flick’s strategies that exposed Ancelotti’s side, particularly the high defensive line and relentless pressing, to ensure Madrid performs significantly better in crucial encounters next season.