Xabi Alonso Affirms Real Madrid Is Still Harmonious Amid Pressure

Xabi Alonso insists that there is no cracked relationship at Real Madrid (Instagram/@realmadrid).

JAKARTA - Xabi Alonso said he didn't care about speculation about his future at Real Madrid.

The Spaniard emphasized that a message of support from the club does not require his team struggling to prepare for Olympiacos in the Champions League.

"No need (to receive a message of support from Real Madrid executives. I spoke with President (Florentino Perez). We often talk to (Director General) Jose Angel (Sandez). We communicate every day," he said.

Defender Alvaro Carreras said the same thing about the team's condition ahead of the trip to Greece.

"The atmosphere is very good. We have an extraordinary team, with coaches and 25 players in the squad. We have a good relationship," said Carreras.

The statement simply defused the situation which judged Alonso to be in a precarious position. Three games without a win - defeat from Liverpool, a draw against Rayo Vallecano and Elche - had put the coach under pressure at the start of his coaching period, with tighter supervision of team and tactical elections, as well as squad management.

In a press conference at Piraeus on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, Alonso admitted that the problem arose because of the egos of the superstars. Overcoming the ego is fundamental at Real Madrid.

He further said he had thought about how the predecessors Carlo Ancelotti and Jose Mourinho - both of whom coached Alonso as a player - topped Real Madrid's slump.

"It's tough. I'm not the first coach to have to face a situation like this. I'm thinking about what Carlo (Ancelotti) or Mourinho, (Manuel) Pellegrini will do too. This is nothing new. You have to know how to deal with it," said Alonso.

Alonso faced criticism even though his team was at the top of the LaLiga standings - one point ahead of their rivals, Barcelona - and have packed nine points from four Champions League games so far.

Reports at Real Madrid claim that Alonso's relationship with some players has deteriorated. ESPN reports that Vinicius Junior is not happy to be backed up four times this season.

"(Managing egos) is as important as your football idea, your tactical work, your physical work. Work with personality, bring out their best potential."

"This process has ups and downs. You have to know how to deal with it in any team. At Real Madrid, that's fundamental," said Alonso.

Alonso coached Real Sociedad B and Bayer Leverkusen before coaching Real Madrid, but played with many top stars while still actively playing.

"I've worked with great players, great characters. They demand, they always want the best. It helps them to be as good as possible."

"That's great at Real Madrid, working with players at this level. You have to be able to connect with them."

"I know what the dressing room is like. You have to live with the noise outside. We have to deal with it and don't lose focus on what's important, what we can control, how we work, and how we can get through these moments," he said.