Real Madrid in Turmoil: Xabi Alonso Under Fire as Legends Slam Disarray in Squad
Legendary Bayern Munich figures Oliver Kahn and Dietmar Hamann have criticized Xabi Alonso's management at Real Madrid, with turmoil brewing in the squad over tactics and discipline. The pressure is mounting on Alonso to steer the struggling Spanish champions back on track.

Bayern Munich legends Oliver Kahn and Dietmar Hamann have delivered a damning verdict on Xabi Alonso’s tumultuous start at Real Madrid. Kahn argues the Spaniard’s tactical obsession clashes with the club’s DNA, while Hamann claims the squad are now 'untrainable' after Vinicius Jr was allowed to undermine the manager’s authority.The pressure is mounting on Alonso at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Real Madrid struggling to replicate the dominance of previous seasons. The Spanish champions have endured a nightmare December, suffering a shock home defeat to Celta Vigo before falling to Manchester City in the Champions League midweek.Reports from the Spanish capital suggest the dressing room has grown weary of Alonso’s methods, with complaints emerging about "excessive" video analysis sessions and a perceived lack of creative freedom. Speaking on Sky Sport Germany, former Bayern CEO Kahn suggested that these struggles were inevitable because Alonso's philosophy is fundamentally incompatible with the 'Galactico' culture."It is no surprise because his idea does not fit Real Madrid," Kahn explained. "The approach Xabi pursues with this system football and positional play requires very specific players. At Real Madrid, however, completely different football is played."It is about freedom and individuality; players do not want to be pressed into systems there, and that is the great misunderstanding. You need a coach who finds the best way to bring superstars together, but not one who starts explaining to them that they must play a very specific system."While Kahn focused on tactics, fellow pundit Hamann pinpointed a breakdown in discipline as the root cause of the crisis. Hamann believes the club's decision to boycott the Ballon d'Or ceremony in 2024 due to Vinicius Jr not winning it created a dangerous precedent, shifting the power dynamic fatally towards the players. The Brazilian escaping any serious punishment for his reaction to being substituted against Barcelona is proof, he says, that Madrid are now "unmanageable"."The decline began with the FIFA Ballon d'Or, when Vini Jr. and the whole club boycotted the event," Hamann stated. "That gave Vini the feeling he is bigger than the club. Then came Barcelona, when he was substituted after 70 minutes, made a huge fuss, and received no punishment."The coach was finished after that, and now this is just a consequence of what has happened in the last few months. At the moment, they are unmanageable. It took five or six months to burn the hottest stock on the coaching market, and if an Alonso can't manage it, then God have mercy on whoever follows him."Looking for smarter football bets? Get expert previews, data-driven predictions & winning insights with GOAL Tips on Telegram. Join our growing community now!The comments from the two German legends highlight the unique difficulties of the Real Madrid job. Unlike other elite European clubs where the manager is the primary architect of the team's identity, recent success at the Bernabeu has historically come under managers like Carlo Ancelotti or Zinedine Zidane - figures who facilitated the talents of their stars rather than imposing complex tactical grids. Alonso arrived as the most coveted young coach in Europe, but his attempt to implement the structured 'positional play' that won him the Bundesliga appears to have alienated a dressing room accustomed to on-pitch freedom. Alonso enjoyed a perfect start after joining from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer. His side won their first seven games across La Liga and the Champions League before finally going down 5-2 to Atletico Madrid. Another six straight wins followed - including a 2-1 Clasico victory - but a European loss to Liverpool kicked off their current woeful run, which has seen them win just two of their last eight. They now sit four points behind Barcelona in La Liga and are seventh in the Champions League table.Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reportingAlonso now faces a critical period leading up to the winter break to save his job. He must find a way to balance his tactical principles with the individual freedom his stars clearly demand. They return to domestic action with a game against Alaves on Sunday followed by a Copa del Rey clash in midweek.
The Clash of Philosophies
Bayern Munich icon Oliver Kahn has highlighted the stark contrast between Xabi Alonso's tactical approach and Real Madrid's traditional 'Galactico' culture. Kahn argues that Alonso's insistence on system football clashes with the players' desire for freedom and individuality, creating a fundamental mismatch in coaching style.
Discipline Woes: The Vinicius Jr Factor
Dietmar Hamann has pointed to a breakdown in discipline within the Real Madrid squad, attributing it to the controversial incidents involving Vinicius Jr. The decision to boycott the Ballon d'Or ceremony and the lack of consequences for the Brazilian's petulant behavior have eroded the manager's authority, leading to a perceived lack of control within the team.
Unmanageable Crisis
Hamann's assessment that Real Madrid are currently 'unmanageable' underscores the severity of the situation at the club. The power dynamics shifting towards the players, coupled with the deteriorating discipline, have created a toxic environment that is proving challenging for Xabi Alonso to navigate successfully.
Navigating a Critical Period
As Real Madrid face a critical period in their season, Xabi Alonso must find a way to strike a balance between his tactical principles and the players' desire for creative freedom. With crucial matches on the horizon, including a Copa del Rey clash and a La Liga encounter against Alaves, Alonso's ability to address the squad's issues will be crucial in determining his future at the club.






