Mijatovic spots Real Madrid's real issue: It's not the gaffer, it's the players
Former Madrid star Predrag Mijatovic offers frank analysis on Xabi Alonso's exit, Arbeloa's appointment, and pinpoints where the problems truly lie at the Bernabéu.
Former Real Madrid striker and sporting director Pedja Mijatovic believes Los Blancos’ recent managerial merry-go-round isn’t the root cause of their problems – it’s the squad that’s lost its hunger.
Xabi’s communication breakdown
Speaking on Spanish radio programme ‘El Larguero’, Mijatovic didn’t mince his words when dissecting Xabi Alonso’s short-lived tenure at the Bernabéu. The Montenegrin reckons there was a fundamental disconnect between the coach and his players.
“The players weren’t able to understand his methodology,” Mijatovic explained, noting that players often seemed confused by Alonso’s tactical decisions, particularly during substitutions. He observed players’ reactions during matches, including the Supercopa final, where they appeared baffled by Xabi’s instructions.
Critically, Mijatovic emphasised this wasn’t necessarily the players’ fault – just that the connection between squad and manager never properly formed from the get-go.
Arbeloa: Rushed appointment but confident presence
Mijatovic described Álvaro Arbeloa’s appointment as “precipitated” but was impressed by the new manager’s demeanour during his introductory press conference:
- Appeared extremely confident and composed
- Showed no signs of nervousness despite the pressure
- Demonstrated deep understanding of the club’s environment
He drew parallels with other successful internal promotions like Guardiola and Zidane, suggesting the Castilla-to-first-team pipeline has merit, even if challenging.
The real problem at the Bernabéu
The most telling part of Mijatovic’s analysis came when he identified what he sees as Madrid’s actual problem – it’s not about who’s in the dugout.
“Perhaps it’s not a problem with the manager, but rather with the squad and players who’ve lost their hunger,” he stated, pointing out that the team wasn’t performing well last season under Ancelotti either.
Despite these concerns, Mijatovic expressed optimism about Arbeloa’s potential, citing his intimate knowledge of the club and clear vision as reasons for hope.
For Madrid fans, this assessment from a club legend suggests the solution might require more than just another new face in the technical area – it may need a proper look at who’s wearing the famous white shirt.