Florentino Pérez has reiterated that signing Xabi Alonso was not a mistake, despite the Real Madrid manager's departure after just six months in charge. The club president explained that injury troubles and fixture congestion derailed the Basque coach's brief tenure, which ended following a Supercopa defeat to Barcelona and a second-place La Liga finish.
In an interview with Spanish broadcaster LA SEXTA, Pérez outlined the circumstances that forced Madrid's hand. "Signing him wasn't a mistake. We had no pre-season preparation. When you keep playing on Wednesdays and Sundays without that base, your fitness inevitably drops. We suffered 28 injuries," Pérez explained. Alonso arrived in summer 2025 following his double-winning spell at Bayer Leverkusen, but the relentless fixture list and accumulated absences undermined his tactical vision. Real Madrid's form collapsed mid-season, prompting the board to act decisively.
Arbeloa's Struggle and the Managerial Void
Alvaro Arbeloa replaced Alonso but has struggled to stabilize the club. His tenure began with a humiliating Copa del Rey elimination against second-division Albacete, while Madrid's La Liga title race slipped away. Bayern Munich's Champions League quarter-final exit capped a disappointing campaign, leaving the Spanish giants facing significant restructuring. Arbeloa is widely expected to leave when his contract expires at season's end, opening the door for a high-profile successor.
Speculation has intensified around José Mourinho, the Portuguese tactician who managed Madrid between 2010 and 2013. Transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri claims the appointment is already a done deal, with Mourinho currently overseeing Benfica. However, Pérez played down talk of an imminent return. "That's not true. Do I like Mourinho? I like all managers. He was with us and raised our level of performance," the 79-year-old said. Madrid won six European Cups in the decade following Mourinho's departure, a statistic the president cited to deflect further questioning about managerial appointments.
Pérez emphasized that he receives constant advice regarding coaching decisions from various sources but refuses to act on speculation. "I get a lot of messages. Some advise me to hire Mourinho, and others tell me I shouldn't even think about it. I don't reply to any of them," he stated. The president also clarified that he does not make unilateral coaching decisions, suggesting the board operates with broader consensus on future direction.
