Xabi Alonso’s start at Real Madrid is beginning to echo the pressure Mikel Arteta lived through in late 2020, when Arsenal spiraled and the media narrative turned into a countdown on his eventual sacking.
The coverage back then was brutal. The Guardian ran “Arteta on the brink as Arsenal fall closer to the relegation zone.” Sky Sports pushed “How much time does Arteta have left?” The Athletic questioned whether the squad had tuned him out with a piece titled “Arsenal look lost and directionless under Arteta.” Fans were equally harsh. “Trust the process” became a punchline and every poor result felt like another shovel of dirt on the project. Arsenal, a club with far less prestige and history than Real Madrid, is now considered one of the best team’s in Europe and dismantled Madrid least season under Arteta’s guidance.
Alonso is stepping into the same experience his childhood friend had while attempting to change the club culture and playing philosphy. Madrid’s loss to Celta Vigo fed a growing concern that the ideas are not landing inside the squad. The team looks hesitant in possession and disconnected when pressing. Players appear unsure of their roles and the system is not producing the clarity Alonso’s teams usually show. Alonso continues to make baffling decisions both with his line-ups and his in-game management. Many argue he lost the dressing room after the Atleti loss and the failure to properly deal with Vinicius JR following his substituion out burst.
Klopp heard similar early criticism at Liverpool. Luis Enrique faced doubts at PSG while trying to rebuild the culture. The tension for Alonso is that Madrid does not offer the runway those coaches received elsewhere. The club has been succesful over the last 15 years for not following “football trends” or abiding by a “tactical” coach. It’s been a club where player power matters and the freedom to express yourself matters. Alonso has been asked to tighten the reins but liekly finding it far more difficult than he anticipated.
Results have to come sooner or Xabi Alonso will see himself categorized as a “Benitez” or a “Lopetegui” in the minds of the Madrid media and fan base. He needs to make big decisions. Wednesday night is Alonso’s next opportunity to right the ship — will it be more of the same or will he be brave?
