Xabi Alonso says managing demanding personalities is an unavoidable part of being Real Madrid head coach following tensions between him and senior figures in the dressing room.
The Athletic reported on Monday that Vinicius Junior had told Madrid that he does not wish to sign a new contract at the club while his relationship with Alonso is strained.
Several first-team players have been unhappy with Alonso’s management and the way he has imposed several important changes since arriving from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer.
Speaking during Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, the former Madrid midfielder was asked how much of a priority managing egos is in his role as head coach. He replied: “It’s as important as the footballing philosophy, the tactical work, the physical work.
“Managing personalities, getting the best out of the players, making them feel as good as possible. It’s a process that has different ups and downs, which you have to know how to handle well, in any team and especially at Real Madrid.”
Alonso and Vinicius Jr’s relationship first became strained when the Madrid head coach planned to bench the forward for their Club World Cup semi-final against Paris Saint-Germain in June. Vinicius Jr went on to start the match due to an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold, but on the right wing rather than his favoured left.
Alonso has Madrid top of La Liga during his debut season in charge, despite Sunday’s disappointing draw with Elche — with The Athletic reporting notable internal reaction to the result.
Asked about the dressing room, Alonso replied: “I’ve worked with great players and personalities, who are demanding. Their reactions help them to be as good as they are. That’s the luck of being at Madrid, you have players of this calibre. You have to be connected with them”.
Pressed whether players could undermine him, he added: “You have to have a lot of respect for the players and the groups, and how they prepare. I don’t want to and I’m not going to talk about that. I know what the dressing room is like, the moments you have to go through and live with the external noise. We try to manage it and talk about it, these are situations that happen at this club and we mustn’t let them make us lose focus.”
Vinicius Jr informed club president Florentino Perez of his stance over his contract in a conversation last month, per three sources with knowledge of the situation, who asked to remain anonymous to protect relationships.
The meeting occurred after Madrid’s 2-1 win over rivals Barcelona on October 26, in which Vinicius Jr was visibly angry after being substituted by Alonso.
After the Barcelona game, Vinicius Jr published a statement on social media apologising to the fans, the club, his team-mates and Perez, though Alonso was admitted. Sources close to the player said this was done deliberately.
Madrid return to action against Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday.