The Saudi Supercopa curse strikes again: Two gaffers sacked since January switch
After Xabi Alonso's shock dismissal following El Clásico defeat, we examine the curious pattern of managers getting the boot after Saudi Supercopa failures.
The Saudi Supercopa is rapidly developing a reputation as a managerial graveyard, with two high-profile bosses now getting their P45s immediately after the competition since it moved to its January format.
Alonso’s abrupt exit
Real Madrid wasted absolutely no time in showing Xabi Alonso the door, with the club announcing his dismissal on Monday - less than 24 hours after their 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa final in Jeddah. The Barça winner came courtesy of a deflected Raphinha effort, with Asencio’s unfortunate touch sending the ball past the keeper.
The timing has sent shockwaves through Spanish football, especially considering the tight contest that could have gone either way. But this isn’t the first time the January Supercopa has claimed a managerial scalp.
Valverde’s Barça boot
Cast your mind back to January 2020 - the very first edition held in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona were flying high as La Liga leaders, but after losing their semi-final against Atlético Madrid, then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu decided Ernesto Valverde’s time was up.
Despite public backing from stars like Messi and Suárez, Bartomeu wielded the axe on January 13th, 2020, immediately upon the team’s return from Jeddah. Though in fairness, Valverde’s position had already been weakened by:
- Roma’s Champions League comeback in 2018 (overturning a 4-1 deficit)
- Liverpool’s 4-0 Anfield hammering in the 2019 Champions League semis
- The 2019 Copa del Rey final loss to Valencia
The decision to replace Valverde with Quique Setién backfired spectacularly. Despite leading the league when sacked, Barcelona finished second to Real Madrid that season and suffered that infamous 8-2 humiliation against Bayern Munich.
Format change, higher stakes
Since the Supercopa’s transformation from a summer curtain-raiser into a mid-season mini-tournament in 2019-20, the competition has taken on far greater significance. What was once a glorified pre-season friendly now carries genuine consequences for managers under pressure.
The competition’s move to January means clubs are deep enough into their campaigns to make serious judgments about their trajectory. For managers already walking a tightrope, a Supercopa stumble can be the final push.
With two managers now having lost their jobs immediately after Saudi Supercopa disappointments, one has to wonder - who might be next to fall victim to this developing curse?