Real Madrid have had a fantastic season so far under new manager Xabi Alonso, yet as usual there is still plenty of drama happening at the Bernabeu.
After arriving from Bayer Leverkusen, the Spanish boss has led his side to the top of La Liga, one point ahead of fierce rivals Barcelona, while they have also won three of their four Champions League games, with their only defeat coming against Liverpool.
However, there have been some suggestions that his new system and his preference for certain players over others is causing friction in the dressing room, with GIVEMESPORT understanding that star winger Vinicius Jr has made it clear to president Florentino Perez that he doesn't want to renew his contract as a result.
Xabi Alonso Responds to Squad Disharmony Rumours
Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior
Reports emerged in Spain this week that as many as seven Real Madrid players, including Jude Bellingham, were unhappy with Alonso currently, and that the club could be looking at making a decision on the manager's future.
But while speaking to the press before the Champions League clash with Olympiacos, Alonso was asked about the reports and what it's like to deal with the egos of superstars in the changing room.
“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.”
“I’ve worked with great players and personalities, who are demanding,” Alonso said of Madrid’s dressing room. “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.”
"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.”
Alonso Ready to Fight for Real Madrid Power
Xabi Alonso
Player power has always been a major issue for managers at Real Madrid, something that Alonso will know all about from his time as a player at the Bernabeu.
But now as a manager, he is seeing the other side of it and must manage the egos and feelings that come with the fact he is dealing with some of the best players in the world, who feel they should be playing more than they are.
Right now, his decisions are justified by the team's performances and standings, but should results turn then things could get ugly quickly, and he will need players on side to make things work in the long run.
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