Real Madrid has parted ways with 43-year-old Xabi Alonso, who was tasked with instilling discipline among the team's players, a job that proved to be an uphill battle. Despite his excellent start, with 13 wins in his first 14 games, Alonso struggled to reign in the ego and vibes of some players, which ultimately led to his downfall.
The writing was on the wall when Alonso tried to summon his beaten players to reciprocate the post-match guard of honour afforded them by Barcelona after their Super Cup final win. The players ignored him, an act of outright insubordination that signified the futility of Alonso's reign as manager.
His departure comes as no surprise given Madrid's trigger-happy nature and the fact that Álvaro Arbeloa has been announced as his replacement. However, it remains to be seen whether Arbeloa will fare any better in this high-pressure role.
The departure of Alonso also raises questions about the state of football in Spain, where players seem more concerned with maintaining their image than putting in the hard work required to succeed at the highest level. The case of Xabi Alonso serves as a stark reminder that even the most well-intentioned managers can struggle to implement discipline and cohesion within their teams.
As Mariana Cabral notes, the admission criteria for Pro Licence courses prioritises coaching in the men's game, leaving women with limited opportunities to advance their careers in football. This disparity is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed in order to promote greater equality and diversity in the sport.
The appointment of Ralf Rangnick as Manchester United's interim manager has raised questions about whether he will be able to bring about the change that the club so desperately needs. However, it remains to be seen how long he will last in his role before being replaced by another high-profile name. Only time will tell if United can find the stability and consistency they crave.
Meanwhile, the world of football continues to grapple with issues of ego, image, and hard work, a delicate balance that is often difficult to achieve. As the sport continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how teams will navigate these challenges in order to succeed at the highest level.
The writing was on the wall when Alonso tried to summon his beaten players to reciprocate the post-match guard of honour afforded them by Barcelona after their Super Cup final win. The players ignored him, an act of outright insubordination that signified the futility of Alonso's reign as manager.
His departure comes as no surprise given Madrid's trigger-happy nature and the fact that Álvaro Arbeloa has been announced as his replacement. However, it remains to be seen whether Arbeloa will fare any better in this high-pressure role.
The departure of Alonso also raises questions about the state of football in Spain, where players seem more concerned with maintaining their image than putting in the hard work required to succeed at the highest level. The case of Xabi Alonso serves as a stark reminder that even the most well-intentioned managers can struggle to implement discipline and cohesion within their teams.
As Mariana Cabral notes, the admission criteria for Pro Licence courses prioritises coaching in the men's game, leaving women with limited opportunities to advance their careers in football. This disparity is a concerning issue that needs to be addressed in order to promote greater equality and diversity in the sport.
The appointment of Ralf Rangnick as Manchester United's interim manager has raised questions about whether he will be able to bring about the change that the club so desperately needs. However, it remains to be seen how long he will last in his role before being replaced by another high-profile name. Only time will tell if United can find the stability and consistency they crave.
Meanwhile, the world of football continues to grapple with issues of ego, image, and hard work, a delicate balance that is often difficult to achieve. As the sport continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how teams will navigate these challenges in order to succeed at the highest level.
. its like dey wanna b famous 1st & foremost & not even care bout winnin matches 
. Alonso was tryin 2 instill discipline but players just didnt wanna listen, its sad really 
. i feel 4 him. & yaaas let's talk bout female footballers gettin limited opportunities 
. mariana cabral is a legend 4 speakin out on dis issue 
. anywayz, ralf rangnick @ man utd? we'll c if he can bring stability 
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. It's like they're more concerned with projecting a certain image than actually putting in the effort required to win. The fact that he was ignored by his own team after trying to acknowledge their achievement just shows how shallow some of these players are 
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. It's always the poor manager who gets left to deal with the fallout when things go wrong. The whole thing just stinks of entitlement and a lack of accountability 
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. Mariana Cabral's point about the limited access to Pro Licence courses is a stark reminder that we still have a long way to go before we achieve true equality in the sport. It's time for some real change, not just empty promises 
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Alonso's departure from Real Madrid has me thinking about the bigger picture... I mean, let's be real, football is all about egos and image, right? 
It's crazy to think that even with a solid start, Alonso couldn't tame the wolves at the Bernabeu. His attempt to get the team to show some respect after beating Barcelona in the Super Cup was just another example of how hard it is to drill discipline into these players.
Meanwhile, other teams are dealing with their own issues, like the lack of opportunities for women in football. Like, what even is going on? 
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. its not just madrid tho, every club has probs w/ players tryin 2 maintain their image over actual work ethic 
. but u gotta feel 4 ralf rangnick, he's got some big shoes 2 fill @ man utd, and i'm not sure how long he'll last there 
. I feel bad for him tho, he gave it a good shot, but it's clear that some players just aren't willing to listen 
. It's time for football to address these issues and stop being all about the image and ego 
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so real madrid fired xabi alonso lol what a shocker 
but seriously its like he tried to get the players to respect him after barca showed them some love post super cup win and they just straight up ignored him 
his departure is a shame, 'cause i think he was tryin' his best to instill some discipline & cohesion into that squad 
but at the same time, it's a harsh reminder that even the most well-meaning managers can struggle with this stuff 
. and idk if Álvaro Arbeloa is the right guy 2 bring stability 2 Real Madrid, they need someone w/ more experience imo 
. on a diff note tho, i'm all about promoting equality in football & it's sad to hear that women coaches r gettin limited opportunities 
i think we need to see some real changes in how coaches and players are held accountable for their actions and also address the pay gap between men's and women's football that's just not right