Matt

More thoughts post Xabi Alonso’s sacking: There are two sides to every story. Florentino is being vilified by different sectors of fans and media. Rightly so, in many regards. Cannot condone how Xabi was humiliated in the press, never backed, and the players were allowed to get away with their tantrums. Do it all privately, behind closed doors. But… from Florentino’s viewpoint, he is managing the biggest sport entity in the world. A team and project can be in “development phase” but it still has to win. That’s what this club demands - right or wrong. Despite playing here, I cannot help but come away with the feeling that Xabi never truly understood the club culture and ethos. Read between the lines on the media leaks. After the City game, despite putting together a great performance and competing, with several players publicly backing Xabi Alonso in the pre and post match press conferences, Florentino was reportedly irate. There was talk that Xabi would be sacked the next day despite the better image. Why? Because Xabi and the players were ‘content’ with just competing. That’s not what this club demands. I think Florentino pretty early on felt like Xabi was not a cultural fit.. My complaint? He should have cut ties earlier. Sometimes you make a bad hire, if that’s the case then move on quickly — don’t drag it out. Reports that have cited Xabi’s camp claim he wanted to continue but was also “relieved”. You could see the energy was sucked out of him the last few months. It was a bridge too far for Alonso, a step too soon in his career. We all know, what works at other clubs just doesn’t seem to work at Real Madrid.

Trent Alexander Arnold is the modern day David Beckham.