Passing Mastermind to Tactical Maestro – The Xabi Alonso Era Begins

Discussion in 'Real Madrid' started by Aensensen, May 25, 2025.

  1. Galatico

    Galatico Member+

    Real Madrid
    United States
    Aug 15, 2019


    Xabi Alonso in training today: "Fight, move, fight, PRESS, PRESS..."
     
    Aensensen, Umar and Hendrix22 repped this.
  2. .halamadrid2.

    .halamadrid2. Member+

    Nov 5, 2010
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Unfortunately addressing the wrong players
     
  3. arcane

    arcane Member+

    Aug 18, 2005
    Philippines
    So if we hypothetically install PSGs entire management to Real Madrid, they will most likely win half of the UCLs in the next decade while avoiding being in the red financially without state money? Because apperently they did it better than Perez 10x over.
     
  4. Xourtois

    Xourtois Member

    Liverpool FC
    England
    Sep 25, 2024
    Nice try trying to move goal post.

    When the entire thread I am discussing about philosophical and tactical dissimilarity of XABI and late sacked husband Carlo , widow bring this.

    Keep the tears in Carlo thread. We move with Xabi.
     
  5. Xourtois

    Xourtois Member

    Liverpool FC
    England
    Sep 25, 2024
    Agree completely. Xabi is a proper tactical coach. Even training methods screams tactical coach. A completely different method to Ancelotti. Trying to paint Xabi as some continuation of another coach is the laziest conclusion I have seen here.
     
  6. Galatico

    Galatico Member+

    Real Madrid
    United States
    Aug 15, 2019
    Mbappe was in training today lol
     
  7. hector_br

    hector_br Member+

    Feb 13, 2007
    I hope Xabi is successful. He truly seems like a nice and intelligent man. Hopefully, the team absorbs his methods. We can't win UCL matches by running half the distance our opponents do, unless we're dominating, which hasn't happened in a while.
     
    Aensensen, W8W8, Anon. and 1 other person repped this.
  8. 4x4s

    4x4s Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 26, 2006
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    I mean, it's really a gamble. You can either take him as the guy that coached a team to surpass their limits, or the guy that got completely crushed in the European final. In a vacum either one of those makes him a slam dunk yes, or a hell no, but i think the reality is this is a coach that's still learning, just like Klopp when he signed for Liverpool and had a couple very rough years before reaching his destination.

    Ideally he'll land on both feet and get going right away, but i hope he isn't torched if things take time.
     
    Aensensen, hector_br and Galatico repped this.
  9. Hsain85

    Hsain85 Member+

    Mar 28, 2006
    Bahrain
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
    He will definitely need to push each individual to work and participate in the defensive game, but it will all be in vain if it’s not done within a cohesive tactical setup.
     
  10. Hsain85

    Hsain85 Member+

    Mar 28, 2006
    Bahrain
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Brazil
    A question: wasn’t Rafa Benitez a purely tactical coach?
     
  11. Galatico

    Galatico Member+

    Real Madrid
    United States
    Aug 15, 2019
    I think we have the quality to where he will get going right away. I expect us to win something this upcoming season.
     
  12. YOUNGSTARS87

    YOUNGSTARS87 Yellow C@rd Bandit

    Dec 21, 2005
    There is no guarantee though.

    That is my other issue I raised here a couple weeks ago. The same crowd who is piling on Ancelotti are the same ones who usually want the manager fired by November then beat their chest like they're a starter when we win trophies in April and May.

    It's too much pressure to pile on a guy. Let Xabi figure things out and show patience while he does. Don't just expect things to be perfect and when the second they don't abandon ship.
     
    Galatico repped this.
  13. hector_br

    hector_br Member+

    Feb 13, 2007
    I think Benitez was just mediocre regardless of style. Never had what it takes to be a Madrid coach.
     
    Anon., Seoul Villan, Xourtois and 3 others repped this.
  14. Hendrix22

    Hendrix22 Member+

    Feb 28, 2010
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    If we play well, with a defined identity, structure and coherence, I honestly don't mind if in the first season he only manages a CL spot and nothing else. Its the process that matters.
     
    Galatico repped this.
  15. J-Mezzy

    J-Mezzy Member+

    Real Madrid
    Colombia
    Oct 14, 2013
    Orlando
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Colombia
    I never understood how someone so mediocre ended up coaching the best team in the world

    not only does he suck but he’s conflictive

    crazy
     
    hector_br repped this.
  16. arcane

    arcane Member+

    Aug 18, 2005
    Philippines
    He wasn't regarded as mediocre coming from his successful stints with Valencia and Liverpool.
     
    Shay Z, WhiteRM, PigBenis and 3 others repped this.
  17. benny_madridista

    Real Madrid
    Nov 30, 2020
    He came after his Napoli stint here, which didn't go all that well.
     
    J-Mezzy repped this.
  18. J-Mezzy

    J-Mezzy Member+

    Real Madrid
    Colombia
    Oct 14, 2013
    Orlando
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Colombia
    he was mediocre
     
    RMadrid2222 repped this.
  19. 4x4s

    4x4s Moderator
    Staff Member

    Nov 26, 2006
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    I FULLY disagree, but he just couldn't manage the personalities at all. It was like trying to speak a different language. Great resume if we're honest.

    He just aged out. I think that's OK. He still did great things in the sport.
     
    J-Mezzy repped this.
  20. Raul-7

    Raul-7 Member+

    Real Madrid
    Spain
    Aug 17, 2006
    #545 Raul-7, Jun 13, 2025
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2025
    He won multiple La Ligas and a UEFA Cup with Valencia [haven't won either since then]; then won every trophy except the EPL for Liverpool. Won them the coveted UCL, the last they won it was 21 years earlier.

    He was not a bad option at the time, his only problem was that he was a calmer Mourinho-like manager and he was on the decline. Hence he preferred defensive discipline over attacking flair. And that would never go down well with the fans.
     
    arcane repped this.
  21. RMadrid2222

    RMadrid2222 Member+

    Real Madrid
    Mexico
    Feb 1, 2023
    He was crap and hated every minute of him being here.
     
  22. Raul-7

    Raul-7 Member+

    Real Madrid
    Spain
    Aug 17, 2006
    We get that; not every coach fits Real Madrid.

    But when people call him 'so mediocre' that's bullshit. He has won multiple trophies wherever he went. He may not be everyone's 'cup of tea' due to his defensive style, but he's not mediocre. That's like calling Capello or Marcello Lippi mediocre simply because you hate their football ideology.
     
  23. arcane

    arcane Member+

    Aug 18, 2005
    Philippines
    By that logic, we got a mediocre Ancelotti.
     
  24. Saeta Rubia

    Saeta Rubia Member+

    May 28, 2010
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Benitez was washed by 2009-10. So getting him in 2015 was a big mistake.

    2014-15 was the last relevant season of Mou as a top level coach too.
     
    PigBenis, RMadrid2222, Xourtois and 4 others repped this.
  25. J-Mezzy

    J-Mezzy Member+

    Real Madrid
    Colombia
    Oct 14, 2013
    Orlando
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Nat'l Team:
    Colombia
    yeah his accomplishments had long passed and he was already known to be a bit of a toxic guy. Hes combative
     

Share This Page