Real Madrid is going through one of the most delicate moments of the last decade. In just eight months, the club has entered a worrying drift that is reflected both on the pitch and in the offices. A deep crisis that has ended up dynamiting a project, that of Xabi Alonso, which was born with great expectations and today is in the hands of Alvaro Arbeloa and completely disoriented.

The feeling of mismanagement, the loss of authority over the players and a succession of poorly executed decisions have caused a domino effect that has ended up affecting sporting performance. What seemed to be an orderly transition after Ancelotti’s departure has turned into a chaotic process, with episodes that have eroded the image of the club and the players.

The surreal departure of Carlo Ancelotti

Real Madrid’s first big mistake was the way in which Carlo Ancelotti’s departure was handled. The announcement of his signing by the Brazilian national team came even before the club officially communicated his departure, an unprecedented situation

Ancelotti was leaving, in part, because he had lost control of the dressing room. His message was no longer getting through to the squad, which was beginning to show clear signs of complacency. It was the first serious warning that something was going wrong within the team.

Luka Modric’s departure

Another mistake that is being talked about a lot these days, but which began to be seen at the start of the season, was the decision not to renew Luka Modric’s contract. The Croatian wanted to stay for another year at Real Madrid and had shown on the pitch that he was still a current and differential player. However, the club showed him the door, arguing that it was time to bet on younger players. Today, Madrid fans miss his talent, his leadership and his ability to handle delicate matches and moments. Modric, for his part, is showing at Milan that he is still one of the best midfielders in the world, exposing a miscalculated decision.

The refusal to sign a midfielder

Kroos had left and the exit door had been opened for Luka Modric, so Xabi Alonso asked for a midfielder. His main target was Martin Zubimendi, but the player was already on the verge of joining Arsenal. Even so, there were other options on the market that could have been explored. Real Madrid decided that what they had in the squad was enough. Xabi wanted a brain for the midfield, a player capable of organizing the game and providing balance, but he was not brought in. The result has been a midfield without control or hierarchy.

The Club World Cup, first clash with Xabi Alonso

Another sticking point came when the club forced Xabi Alonso to go to the Club World Cup against his will. “Either you take it now or there is no signing,” they told him. It was not the best start for a project that was supposed to be exciting. Despite everything, the coach left a good impression in his first few games, showing clear ideas and an interesting tactical approach. But the relationship with the hierarchy was already strained.

The Vinicius case: the most serious mistake

Probably the biggest mistake Real Madrid have made in recent months has been the handling of Vinicius’ situation. Last season, the Brazilian was allowed not to attend the Ballon d’Or gala, making it clear the excessive power that the player had within the club.

This season, the war between Vinicius and Xabi Alonso ended up taking the coach out of the club. The turning point came in El Clasico, when the Brazilian disrespected the coach. The club did not take sides and made it clear that it was on the side of the player. That day was when Xabi Alonso’s project definitely began to go wrong.

Lack of support for the coach

Xabi Alonso never felt supported. The players mostly ignored him. They did not listen to his tactical instructions or commit to his idea of the game. The coach had arrived with the club’s backing to change dynamics, implement tactical order and build a more structured team. However, when push came to shove, Florentino Perez once again sided with the players. The outcome was inevitable: on Monday, the coach’s departure was announced.

Excessive external noise

Real Madrid’s last big mistake is all the external noise surrounding the club. The open war with UEFA, the constant clashes with referees, the attempt to change the club’s structure and other off-field issues have created a climate that distracts from what really matters. Too many open battles prevent the club from being 100% focused on sport.