The end of the short Alonso era at Real Madrid is causing widespread surprise. Bayern sporting director Christoph even describes the dismissal as “crazy”.
Xabi Alonso’s dismissal is being fiercely discussed even beyond the city limits of Madrid. After all, the Spaniard was only installed as Real Madrid’s head coach in the summer of 2025. Even Bayern sporting director Christoph Freund reacted with surprise to the decision of the Royal club.
“I was very surprised. Xabi is an exceptionally good coach,” he said on Sky . While Freund is naturally familiar with the fast-paced nature of the football business, that doesn’t necessarily make the matter more comprehensible for him.
Xabi Alonso (r.) was once also considered at FC Bayern
“It’s a bit crazy, in such a short time,” the Austrian found quite clear words. Freund has not forgotten that the Spaniard did “outstanding work” in Leverkusen.
However, the Bayern sporting director also made it clear that he “has no insight” into everything that happened at the Blancos. “It’s not my place to judge,” he emphasized.
Alonso’s exit after Supercopa defeat
Alonso was fired after the defeat in the Supercopa final against FC Barcelona and replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa. In recent weeks and months, internal disagreements had repeatedly caused unrest. In particular, the relationship between Alonso and Vinícius Júnior was described as very strained in the Spanish media.
From a sporting perspective, Alonso was at least solid with the Madrilenians, being second in the Spanish La Liga and seventh in the Champions League group stage.
Christoph Freund is surprised by Alonso’s exit
Alonso once Bayern’s preferred candidate
While the Madrilenians showed no patience in the Alonso case, continuity is said to prevail in the coaching position at FC Bayern.
This makes the development all the more bitter for Alonso, who was reportedly the preferred candidate in Munich before Kompany’s signing.