Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes spoke to Marca about the club’s current situation, addressing the decision to part ways with Xabi Alonso, the impact of the Santiago Bernabéu on the team’s direction, Álvaro Arbeloa’s task moving forward, the injury situation, and Vinicius Jr.’s contract negotiations.
On Xabi Alonso and the coaching decision
“I think it’s the results and the club’s confidence in Xabi Alonso (and his sacking). Regarding the dressing room management, when you have the authority to be the coach, nobody can interfere
in that area. Just as nobody can interfere in the president’s or the kit man’s area. Everyone has their role within the team, and the dressing room is solely and exclusively the coach’s responsibility. He may do it better or worse, but until he achieves or fails to achieve the objectives, Xabi can’t be evaluated, because we don’t know if he would have achieved them. Let’s remember that he was still in the Copa del Rey, in La Liga, and very much alive in the Champions League. The only title he hadn’t yet won was the Super Cup, and he had just arrived. Sometimes teams make the right decisions, and other times they make hasty ones.”
On the Bernabéu’s influence
“The best barometer for a team like Real Madrid is the Bernabéu. The Bernabéu is the ultimate arbiter of what’s happening; it dictates whether the fans are happy or not. The project (under Xabi Alonso) that began in December hadn’t quite taken hold in terms of satisfying the fans. The results had a significant impact, and it’s clear that the defeat against Atlético Madrid was particularly painful. Therefore, the fans’ behavior (applause, whistles, boos) has a huge impact, both collectively and individually, and I say this from experience. That barometer is incredibly powerful for understanding what’s happening, not only in the locker room but also in the upcoming matches.”
On Arbeloa’s priorities and recent results
“Arbeloa needs to get the best version of the key players back. There are players who aren’t at their best right now, and then, to win. In other words, all these processes, if you want to change them for the better, have to start by winning four, five, or six games. When you win games, like we did against Monaco and Levante, it allows the noise to subside a little. From there, it’s about starting to impose your knowledge and your way of working and playing. Regarding what happened against Albacete, what fault is Arbeloa to have for arriving and putting eleven players on the pitch against a team that had tremendous enthusiasm? I’m happy, in part, because I came up through Albacete’s youth system and I know the joy that victory brought, but these are situations that arise and can’t be predicted.”
On injuries, Mbappé, and managing a squad at Real Madrid
“What would worry me the most? That Mbappé would get injured. Jokes aside, but it’s a reality with important players, Xabi Alonso has had a very serious problem: he’s had a lot of injuries in defense. When you’re the manager of a team like Real Madrid, there are many things that can make you feel good or make you feel bad: injuries in the back, having to figure out who should replace that (injured) player, the fact that the forwards aren’t quite at their best, except for Mbappé. Vinicius, for example, hasn’t been at his best, although he’s had some extraordinary matches. Bellingham, Rodrygo himself, and Mastantuono haven’t quite clicked, although it’s true that in the last match Mastantuono seemed to do a fantastic job. You also have to have a coaching staff and delegate. In other words, at Real Madrid, you can’t just say, ‘I’m the one who makes all the decisions.’ I think that in teams like that, and I’m not just talking about Real Madrid, but also Barcelona, Atlético Madrid, Liverpool, you have to delegate the physical, emotional, tactical, and strategic aspects… Look at Arsenal, how they handle the strategic side, right? I mean, there are many factors, but above all, it’s about feeding the egos of the great players that the squad has.”
On Vinicius Jr.’s contract negotiations
“Vinicius’s contract negotations? I think that’s a problem between the club and the player, although it’s true that it also depends a bit on the coach. In my case, at eighteen, many of the professional decisions you make when you arrive at a team are discussed with the coach. So, I imagine Vinicius will talk to Arbeloa, because his contract ends soon, but he’ll also have to talk to the club to see if Arbeloa is the project for the future or if there’s an intention to make a change if things aren’t going well. I think the player has to take that into account, and that’s also where the people around him come in. That’s why it’s also important who guides the player, the advice they can give him. There are also times when you have to pay attention to what the manager decides, because we’ve seen lately that a coach can last four months. So, I think it’s more of a personal thing, about the feelings you have as a player, whether you’re really happy where you are, whether you value the club you’re at, whether the fans appreciate you. All those things will weigh heavily in your decision. And, obviously, when Real Madrid offers you the contract, it’ll depend on whether you like it or not. That’s just how it is.”
