Hamman stunned by Xabi's Real Madrid exit: 'Not in a million years'
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamman shares his surprise at Xabi Alonso's dismissal from Real Madrid and discusses Hansi Flick's Barcelona success.
Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich star opens up about his shock at Xabi Alonso’s departure and reflects on the changing dynamics at Europe’s top clubs.
Didi Hamman, Champions League winner alongside Xabi Alonso in that unforgettable 2005 final against Milan, has expressed his utter disbelief at Real Madrid’s decision to part ways with the Spanish manager.
‘Million years’ shock
The German international, now working as a TV pundit and ambassador for BetGoat, couldn’t hide his surprise at the situation, particularly given Alonso’s remarkable achievements with Bayer Leverkusen.
“I’m very surprised because he had two fantastic years at Leverkusen,” Hamman explained, pointing to Alonso’s unbeaten league campaign – something never before achieved in Germany, not even by Bayern Munich.
What’s particularly baffling for Hamman is how quickly things changed. Despite Madrid sitting just four points off the pace in La Liga, losses against Liverpool, Manchester City and Barcelona seem to have sealed Alonso’s fate.
“If you’d told me in summer that Alonso wouldn’t be manager by mid-January, I’d have said not in a million years,” Hamman remarked.
Club structure challenges
Hamman offered interesting insights into the structural differences between Leverkusen and Real Madrid, suggesting this might have contributed to Alonso’s struggles:
- Leverkusen provided a smaller, more football-focused environment
- Madrid brings political complexities and power dynamics
- At top clubs, managers have less control over transfers
- Alonso’s collective approach at Leverkusen clashed with Madrid’s star system
“In Leverkusen, he formed a team where no player claimed special status or got carried away by ego,” Hamman noted, implying this approach didn’t translate to Madrid’s superstar-laden squad.
Flick’s Barcelona success
The conversation shifted to Hansi Flick’s impressive work at Barcelona, with Hamman expressing surprise at how well his compatriot has adapted despite the language barrier.
“What makes him succeed is his relationship with players,” Hamman explained, citing Raphinha’s turnaround as a prime example of Flick’s man-management skills.
Hamman believes Barcelona has every chance to win the Champions League under Flick – quite the turnaround after his difficulties with the German national team.
Bayern-Madrid rivalry
Reflecting on his playing days, Hamman spoke about the mutual respect between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid during the 1990s when these European giants regularly clashed.
“Both teams had enormous respect for each other,” he recalled. “Even at Liverpool, whenever the draw came, we’d say ‘anyone but Bayern Munich’ because we felt such respect for that club.”
He fondly remembered classics featuring Butragueño and Hugo Sánchez, acknowledging that while Bayern hasn’t reached Champions League latter stages recently, they remain highly respected among Europe’s elite.