Former Real Madrid defender Ezequiel Garay has weighed in on the current managerial situation at the club.
Notably, Garay is very uniquely placed to comment, having shared the dressing room with both Alvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso during his two seasons at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Adding another layer to his insight, Garay is also one of the few players, alongside Angel Di Maria, to have represented both Real Madrid and Benfica, the two clubs set to face each other in the Champions League this week.
That background made his recent interview with AS particularly relevant, as he reflected on leadership, pressure, and why managing Madrid is unlike any other job in football.
The coaching situation
Garay began by recalling how Alonso’s coaching future always seemed inevitable, while also praising Arbeloa’s early work on the Madrid bench.
“You could tell that Xabi was going to be a coach when he retired. I didn’t see Alvaro much, but he’s doing very well. And I hope he does great.
“When it was time to joke around, he joked around. When it was time to be serious, he was serious. He was a player with a lot of personality and character,” he began.
The former centre-back then made it clear where his loyalties still lie, expressing his desire to see Real Madrid succeed regardless of who is in charge.
Ezequiel Garay played with both Arbeloa and Alonso. (Photo by Jasper Juinen/Getty Images)
“I always want Madrid to do well. I want them to win. I hope Arbeloa can win the Champions League and do what Zidane did.
“Madrid is a different world and everyone wants to be there and win as much as possible.”
On Alonso’s tenure
Garay also offered insight into why Alonso’s spell at the club ultimately fell short, pointing to the complexity of managing elite personalities.
“A dressing room like Madrid’s is very difficult. There are great players, great stars. It’s complicated to manage them. The coach must have a lot of character,” he said.
Finally, he explained why Arbeloa’s arrival appears to have had an immediate impact on the team’s performances.
“It could be the change of scenery. A different way of working, of seeing football.
“Unconsciously, things change in the player’s head, and you see it in the first two or three games. I hope they can continue like this,” he concluded.