The Rest Is Football Xabi Alonso Sacked After Barcelona Win Super Cup
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Jan 13, 2026 Real Madrid's surprise decision to sack Xabi Alonso has fans buzzing, with Álvaro Arbeloa stepping in as interim coach. The fallout from Barcelona's thrilling Super Cup win over Madrid is dissected, highlighting Raphinha's stunning brace and Vinícius Jr.'s dazzling goal. Praise flows for Hansi Flick's impeccable record and explosive scoring at Barcelona. The hosts also debate Villarreal's title ambitions and question Alonso's tactics, leaving listeners eager for the La Liga action ahead.
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Premature Sack For A Solid Record
- Real Madrid's decision to sack Xabi Alonso after seven months reflects club impatience despite a decent record.
- Gary Lineker and Alex Aljoe view the move as premature given Alonso's La Liga form and overall results.
Players Allegedly Disregarded Alonso
- Alex relays reports that players in Jeddah weren't taking Xabi Alonso seriously and skipped video sessions.
- He cites Vinícius Jr.'s public confrontation in October as an example of lost dressing-room authority.
Manager Power Limited At Real Madrid
- Real Madrid's structure limits managerial control, with Florentino Pérez and the board overriding decisions.
- Lineker argues that coaches get blamed despite having little say over transfers and personnel.