Morientes on Xabi's exit: 'No one can interfere with the manager's domain... or the president's'
Fernando Morientes offers candid insights on Real Madrid's current situation, Xabi Alonso's departure, and what Álvaro Arbeloa needs to do to right the ship.
Former Real Madrid striker Fernando Morientes has shared his unvarnished thoughts on the club’s current situation, offering a rare glimpse into the inner workings of the dressing room from someone who’s been there and done that.
On Xabi Alonso’s departure
When asked about what ultimately led to Xabi Alonso’s exit, Morientes was crystal clear about the boundaries within a football club: “When one has the authority to be coach, no one can interfere in that domain. Just as no one can interfere in the president’s domain.”
The former Los Blancos forward believes results and club confidence were the determining factors, while noting that Alonso’s tenure ended with the team still very much alive in multiple competitions:
- Still in the Copa del Rey
- In contention in La Liga
- “Very much alive” in the Champions League
- Only the Supercopa had slipped away
“Sometimes teams make good decisions, other times hasty ones,” Morientes added, leaving fans to read between the lines.
The Bernabéu barometer
According to Morientes, the best indicator of a squad’s health is the reaction from the stands at the Santiago Bernabéu:
“The Bernabéu is the owner and master of what’s happening – it indicates whether people are happy or not,” he explained. “Xabi’s project that began in December wasn’t quite gelling in terms of fan satisfaction.”
He reckons the derby defeat to Atlético Madrid was particularly painful for supporters, whose applause or whistles can have a profound impact on both team and individual performances.
Arbeloa’s urgent priorities
When asked what new gaffer Álvaro Arbeloa needs to address immediately, Morientes was straight to the point:
- “Recover the best version of important players” – noting several stars aren’t at their peak form
- Win matches – “All these processes, if you want to change them for the better, have to start with winning four, five or six games”
Morientes defended Arbeloa after the shock Copa del Rey exit to Albacete, suggesting it’s hardly fair to blame the new manager for such an immediate setback.
Current squad concerns
With his tongue firmly in cheek, Morientes said his biggest worry would be “Mbappé getting injured.” But on a serious note, he highlighted:
- Defensive injuries have been a major problem
- Vinicius hasn’t consistently performed at his best level
- Players like Bellingham, Rodrygo and Mastantuono are still finding their form
- The importance of delegation within the coaching staff
Vinicius renewal situation
On whether Vinicius Jr. is more likely to renew his contract now Xabi has departed, Morientes sees it as primarily a player-club issue, though acknowledges the manager’s influence.
“It’s more personal, about the feelings you have as a player, if you’re really comfortable where you are, if you value the club, if the fans hold you in esteem,” he explained. “And obviously, when Madrid puts the contract in front of you, whether you like it or not.”
The bottom line for any player, according to Morientes? Performance trumps everything – even for the most eccentric characters in the dressing room.