Ex-Madrid gaffer drops bombshell: 'Surprised Xabi lasted this long'
Former Real Madrid coach Mariano García Remón offers candid assessment of Alonso's sacking, highlighting the club's power dynamics and player-first mentality.
A former Real Madrid manager has delivered a brutally honest take on Xabi Alonso’s recent dismissal, suggesting the Spaniard’s tenure at the Bernabéu lasted longer than expected given the club’s notorious power structure.
‘Players come first at Madrid’
Mariano García Remón, who served as both goalkeeper and manager for Los Blancos, shared his unfiltered thoughts during an interview with Vicente Ortega on El Programa de Ortega. The veteran coach wasn’t remotely shocked by Alonso’s departure.
“I wasn’t surprised and I understand it, because I’ve been at that house,” García Remón explained, before diving into the club’s internal hierarchy that often leaves managers fighting an uphill battle.
According to the former Madrid man, the club’s structure inherently favors star players over managers:
- Individual player power trumps managerial authority
- Coaches work under constant pressure - a “sword of Damocles” hanging overhead
- The club values certain players more than any manager
In a particularly telling comment, García Remón suggested Alonso’s tenure was actually extended: “Thinking about it, I believe he lasted quite long.”
Vinicius vs Alonso: No contest
The interview highlighted Madrid’s player-first mentality, with García Remón stating bluntly that “a player like Vinicius matters more to the club than a coach.”
He defended Alonso’s football decisions as coherent from a tactical perspective but acknowledged they created friction within the club’s power structure. The former manager specifically mentioned the guard of honor incident after the Supercopa as damaging to Alonso’s authority.
Copa clash brings mixed emotions
Beyond the Alonso situation, García Remón also discussed the upcoming Copa del Rey tie between Real Madrid and Albacete - two clubs close to his heart. He warned about the danger of such fixtures for bigger teams, noting Madrid have “nothing to gain and much to lose” against a motivated opponent.
The ex-Madrid boss concluded by calling for calm at the Bernabéu, emphasizing that despite recent turbulence, the season still offers multiple trophy opportunities for the Spanish giants.