Article by Alin Buzărin – Published Monday, January 12, 2026, 9:10 p.m. / Updated Monday, January 12, 2026 9:11 p.m.
Although he played five years at Real, it seems that the Basque did not understand what the biggest cube in the world means.
Florentino Perez, before the Super Cup final in Jeddah, had said that if Real Madrid lost clearly against Barcelona, he would fire the coach immediately. Of course, he didn't say that with quotes in public, but after the “whisper” spread everywhere, he didn't deny it either.
And the day after this 2-3, which, although tight, was actually clearly a failure with at least three goals difference, he got rid of the coach he had brought in in the summer with such enthusiasm.
The principles of the proletariat
Announced long ago at the Bernabeu, months before his actual physical arrival, Xabi triumphantly entered the arena, recommended by something that is no small thing at all. Because it is something to snatch from Bayern, after 11 years of supremacy, the crown of perpetual and perennial champion of the Bundesliga.
But the Basque came to Real trying to apply the same policies and methods as at the outsider Leverkusen: united group, compact team, the lesson of humility, the collective before the individual, all for one, one for all. Principles that do not bear fruit at Real.
Here the essential attribute is greatness, not humility. The aristocratic gene, not the proletarian. Alonso didn't understand, even though he used to play five seasons at Real. That's right, as a proletarian, a worker, an ant in the middle of the field. Not an aristocrat.
Conducting with the star
Perhaps his main black ball was his inability to use Vinicus. He tried to teach him like a country teacher, to bring him to the same denominator as everyone else. Fundamentally wrong! Vini is from another species and from another world.
You have to utilize it to its maximum capacity. Leaving him to his own devices, not beating him over the head like a schoolboy who forgot his homework book at home. Because in the case of some asperities, a thoughtful patron (and Florentino is part of this category) will always choose the star on the grass, not the conductors on the technical bench.
Copying Carletto
Being an old “realist” for more than four decades, I had the feeling from the beginning that Xabi did not understand either where he ended up, nor what was happening to him, nor how he should proceed. He cannot invoke the unavailability of the team, because Ancelotti also had moments when he had to improvise.
Carletto invented Valverde as a right-back by circumstance, Tchouameni as a stopper out of necessity, Camavinga as a left-back at times, and Bellingham as a central attacker. It cannot be said that Xabi invented anything, he just copied from his illustrious predecessor.
A tailcoat is needed
For Real to change their coach during the season, from one Sunday to another, happens very rarely. It hasn't been like this since the failures called Lopetegui and Solari, let it be about seven years and better since then.
And the fact that this parting took place “by mutual agreement”, as the beautiful words of the club's press release explain it, is explained by the fact that Perez never saw a way out of the tunnel with this exceptional coach for a “factory” team like Leverkusen, but which felt completely out of place in such a bright hall of trophies at the Bernabeu. The next technician (not Arbeloa, he's only interim) will have to know how to wear a tailcoat, not overalls.
