Xabi Alonso Sacked After Barcelona Win Super Cup 

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0:57Bundling, just another way to save with a personal price plan Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there Prices are based on rating plans that vary by state Coverage options are selected by the customer Availability, amount of discounts and savings And eligibility vary by state Coming up on today's show Barcelona crowns Spanish Super Cup champions After a thrilling El Clásico match against Real Madrid Back in Spain, Villarreal picked up an important three points to keep the pressure on at the top of La Liga with a comfortable win against Alaves. Espanyol, however, couldn't capitalise as they were held to a draw against relegation-threatened Levante.

1:37Stay tuned for all the action.

1:49Hello and welcome to the Rest is Football La Liga episode with Alex Algeau and me, Gary Lineker. Well, Alex, we've been thrown a curveball here because we actually, we're now recording this on Monday evening and the news has broken that Xabi Alonso has parted company with Real Madrid. The club have issued a statement. I'll read that in a minute. So we actually recorded most of the podcast this morning, but I know you're on a night out, Alex, but you were good enough to jump on for five minutes to discuss the situation because obviously the club was completely inconsiderate towards our podcast.

2:32and so it would have been slightly dated if it had gone out as it currently is. So what we'll do, we'll talk about the Alonso situation now and then we'll hand over to the rest of the podcast where we discussed obviously the Super Cup game in which Real Madrid lost to Barcelona by three goals to two and subsequently a few La Liga matches that took place this weekend. But obviously it's been muted for some time. He was under pressure, Then he lost this particular Clasico, although it was in style. I thought it was a cracking game of football. Are you surprised? Yeah, really, really surprised. Massive shock.

3:14I've heard most of the Real Madrid fan base in shock as well. Nobody saw this coming. I was saying on the podcast earlier that they played well. There were loads of positives to take from the game. It's not like they got thrashed by Barcelona. Had they been thrashed by Barcelona, I would have said, of course, yes, it's the end of Xabi Alonso. So that would have been the front page of Marker and asked this morning, but it wasn't. It was a good performance and it seems like they're building something good there. So yes, a huge shock. I have been speaking to people in Madrid that know more than I do right now.

3:47And they were saying the issue was the respect wasn't there. So actually... The respect from who to who? The players towards Xabi Alonso. Oh, wow. As a manager, because obviously we've spoken about how good he was as a player and how all the players, I'm sure, have a huge amount of respect for him in that sense. But I've heard that during this trip to Jeddah, the players weren't taking things overly seriously and then walking out of video sessions and not wanting to listen to Xabi Alonso and anything he had to say, which is obviously the beginning of the end when your players aren't listening to the manager.

4:23If you lose the dressing room. Of course. And I think that's what they were saying. And for an example is I was there at the Classico back in October when Vinicius Junior wasn't happy about coming off the bench and he made it very clear. And he should have been benched for the next game. You know, the way he spoke to his manager in front of everyone that day and it was not a good look and he should have been disciplined. He should have been benched. But Xabi Alonso did not have the power to bench him the next game, which was against Valencia. So I think he started that game, double check that.

4:52So you're saying when he said he didn't have the power to bench him, you think powers that be from above the oppression Alonso have said to him, no, you can't do that. We're talking about Florentino Perez here over ruling Xabi Alonso, who I'm sure wanted to bench Vinicius because you can't behave like that, can you, the way Vinicius Jr. behaved that day. But from what I heard, these talks were already happening prior to the trip to Jeddah, before the new year. I'm actually hearing that he's being linked to Liverpool. so they have got a coach that won the league last season I mean this is a mad world though they've had a good run lately they really do let me read out the club's statement it goes as follows Real Madrid FA announces that by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso it has been decided to terminate his contract as head coach of the first team Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madridistas as he is a Real Madrid legend and has always embodied the values of our club.

5:53Real Madrid will always be his home. Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication throughout this period and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives. He's been there seven months, Alex. He did a brilliant job at Leverkusen for two years. I mean, you look at his record and by most clubs standards, this would be really pretty impressive. but this is Real Madrid of course 34 matches 24 wins 4 draws and 6 defeats in all games in La Liga they were second of course they've played 19 won 14 drawn 3 lost just 2 games and in the Champions League they're currently 7th which is in that top block which would mean automatic qualification for the last 16 they've played 6-1-4 and lost 2 they reached the semi-finals the Club World Cup which we covered of course before they got spanked by PSG 4-0.

6:49The man taking over is Alvaro Arbeloa, who we know, of course. And they're very good friends. They're really, really good friends. They might not be any longer. Well, I'm sure you all would as well. He's currently in charge of Real Madrid-Castilla, the second team. Yeah, fourth. Fourth. Segunda. So we'll see how that goes. But surely, this is not what the club wants. Well, it's turmoil, isn't it? And the fan base as well. They love Xabi Alonso. Yeah. I don't understand it personally. I think if you bring someone like that, he's relatively young. He's probably still learning his trade in many ways.

7:22It'll take time. And it's a big job. It takes time. I suppose you've got massive egos in that dressing room. And if they are... Compared to the power of Leverkusen dressing room. Yeah, very different. Very different and club. He'll know that though. He knows, I mean, he was part of Real Madrid. He's one of the players, a terrific footballer at Real Madrid for years. Although he's not one of those players. He never was one of those players with a massive ego. I remember he played there when I worked there back in the day and he was one of the nicest, you know, most of the people. That's good to know.

7:53It doesn't surprise me. He always comes over as a real gent. I think personally it's premature. Obviously, we don't know everything. And if the players are causing trouble, if you lose the dressing, you're in trouble. We all know that. And one man really decides there and he doesn't tend to be particularly faithful, the president, Frentino Perez. He's brutal. Yeah, exactly. and they're ruthless. It's a ruthless football club. It seems a strange timing though. I think that, you know, they've still got lots to play for this season. I suppose it's just until the end of the season at the moment. Arbala, is he going to be better than Xabi Alonso?

8:30He's not been doing particularly brilliantly with Castilla. So I'm not overly surprised. I'm disappointed. I'm disappointed because I really like him and I loved what he did at Leverkusen and that first season achievement was extraordinary. He needed time. He needed time. Just look at Mikel Arteta as an example, a young manager of that Arsenal team. Exactly. And he needed time. And I know we all joked about the trust the process, trust the process. But actually, sometimes you just need to trust the process a little bit. But Real Madrid aren't very good at doing that. That'll be a job for Xabi.

9:04And I wish him all the best. I wish him success because he's a good guy. And I think a top manager as well. So I agree. I think he'll get another very good job. it's it's it's very difficult football club to coach at because obviously it's a club you know they buy superstars that's what they do and then it's up to you to sort them out they don't necessarily go right who do you want how do we fit into your system of play and all this he had no say well that's what i have been told that's amazing you've got no say right this is what you're going to get you've got no say but as soon as it goes wrong you're the one that gets the sack And that's for me.

9:42And that's the way the game's going. And it's not just Real Madrid either. I think let's be fair. There's lots of clubs like that. We've seen it here in the Premier League in recent weeks, haven't we? You know, the suits are taking over the game. And is that, I'm not sure that's necessarily a good thing. I think they've always been this way at Real Madrid. Considering the way they do go about things, it's remarkable how successful they've been. But generally, if you can just go and buy the world superstars, it's yeah so it baffles me a little bit I'm not overly surprised but I think I mean they lost to Barcelona obviously in the Super Cup but they also beat Barcelona this season yeah and if you go back to last season they were spanked by Barca easily they could have taken you know a couple of really good chances at the end there and things could be very different you know had they lifted that trophy last night I don't know Xabi Alonso would probably still be in the job so let's assume that Arbelo is just interim until the end of the season.

10:40I mean, what names we'll be talking about? Zinedine Zidane, but there's a lot of talk that he's hanging on for France, the national team. I don't know whether there's any truth in that. Someone like Jurgen Klopp, obviously. I think he'd be a good fit, you know. Well, Jurgen Klopp would be a good fit for anyone. He's so brilliant. So that's a possibility. Anyone else you can think of that's... Carlo Ancelotti, what wins the World Cup with Brazil and then comes back to Real Madrid. Why not? do it a third time I mean the Ancelotti way is probably the way to coach your manager at Real Madrid let the players have a bit of power lean into them a little bit let them do their magic it definitely worked although it didn't work last season no it worked it worked it does work for a time it's not an easy job I said it's one of the toughest jobs it's really alright Alex I'll let you go on your night out now please interrupt and jabby I'm sorry I'm not blaming Xavi Florentino Yes So inconsiderate So inconsiderate Never Didn't bear us in mind at all But The rest of the pod Where we talk about the game Will be with you Well Right now The Spanish Super Cup Has been taking place In Saudi Arabia Athletic Bilbao Atletico Madrid Real Madrid And Barcelona took part We ended up with a Classico final between the two big dogs and well it didn't disappoint that's for sure so we'll spend the first half of the show which I imagine will be a bit more than a half because there's lots to discuss on the Super Cup and in the second half we'll see what happened in one or two of the fixtures in La Liga but before of that Alex where are you?

12:32I don't recognize that back Do you like the Chaylon? I'm in Manchester. I was covering the FA Cup this weekend. Which games did you do? I was at Wrexham. Oh, that was a good game. Threw on penalties, knocking Nottingham Forest out. Then I was at Everton Sunderland. And then I'm on my way up north, further north, where I'm actually going to see Alan tomorrow. Mr. Shearer? Mr. Shearer. Mr. Shearer ahead of Newcastle, Manchester City. First leg in the League Cup. Let me guess you're meeting him in a pub. Yeah, 4.30 in the afternoon. And I said, are you going to start on the beers that early? And you know the answer.

13:13The answer probably would have been, no, I'd have already started at lunchtime. Yeah, exactly. Possibly. So yeah, fun few days. Fun few days. Very nice too. Well, we'll kick off with the final. Obviously, there were two games prior to that. Barcelona thumped Bilbao 5-0. And then Real Madrid beat Atletico. Maybe fortunate. A little bit lucky. Probably a little bit fortunate. Maybe this is the moment we get Eric's take on that. Because he's an integral part of this podcast now. Yeah, I spoke to Eric this morning. He said Real Madrid always seem to win the derbies that matter. Apart from the one in 2013.

13:54More on that later. He said a very decent performance against Real Madrid. So he's actually really positive this morning. I thought they did play well. For Eric, defence looked better. boss the midfield for long periods of the game. They have more possession, which never happens against Real Madrid and doesn't happen too often against any team for that matter, he said. Green shoots, perhaps. Green shoots. Copa del Rey up next. Simeone might actually show some interest as it is the best shot we have at a title. And then he's just saying it's going to be an interesting transfer window as well with Gallagher, Raspadori and Almada, maybe.

14:29That's remarkably upbeat. remarkably upbeat I would say that one Eric so good to hear it was a narrow win for Real Madrid the highlight for me of that game was Fede Valverde unbelievable goal a rocket so good what a player and what a goal but yeah Real Madrid 2-1 2-1 win to get to the final just out by Clasico and it was a classic Clasico wasn't it breathtaking I mean the mental 10 minutes before half time where both teams scored twice I mean including a wonder goal from Vinicius Junior. He hadn't scored for 16 games either, had he? So ended a long goal drought for him. So he'll be delighted to be back on the score sheet.

15:10Because when you have gone, it's a long old time, isn't it, without scoring? How does that affect a player, would you say, Gary? 16 games without a goal? No idea, Alex. I can't imagine going that long without a goal. But it has to have some sort of effect. He's been getting a bit of grief as well from some of the supporters. There's a lot of talk about, you know, whether he be exiting Real Madrid. I would imagine, however he plays it in his head, he would have found it very, very difficult. But what a way to come out of a run like that. I mean, it was such an individual effort, obviously, to describe it.

15:48I mean, he took on Koundé, didn't he, down the left-hand side of the pitch and then he cut in. And he nutmegged him, cut inside and then finished it with some style. Breathtaking goal. It was actually the equaliser, wasn't it? Because Rafinha had already given Barcelona the lead and that wasn't a bad goal either. Yeah, yeah. I was actually surprised that Vinny Jr. was taken off. I don't know whether he had a niggle or felt something because I would have thought that taking off Rodrigo may have been a better idea. Maybe the fact that he brought Kylian Mbappe on and wanted to give him more room or whatever.

16:28But I don't know why he took Vinny Jr. off because he was having a brilliant game. Yeah. I mean, he makes some interesting decisions sometimes, Javi Alonso. And particularly, I think, around Vinicius. Everyone's saying, no, there's nothing going on there. It's fine. Everything's great, as you would expect them to say. but particularly having, you know, ended that goal drought because what often happens after a goal drought, once you get one, whether it bounces off your backside or you beat two or three men like Manicius did, then once you get one of those, then you tend to start scoring again.

17:04I mean, I've been through spells where I haven't scored, nothing like as long as that. Two, three games. Well, I was, you know, I was a striker as well. He's more of a winger, isn't he? Let's be honest. And you go a few games and then suddenly you get one break and then it's like you can't stop scoring again. So it was, I thought the same. It was a strange thing to take him off at that point. Unless, of course, there was a reason. Unless, you know, you never know. There's a few knocks or so. But, you know, this is a big game. Well, it doesn't work because you'd be judged ultimately by what happens after you make those decisions.

17:39Speaking of strange Xabi Alonso decisions, I was actually really surprised at the way Real Madrid set up to begin with. They were so, so defensive, which is not what the Madridistas want to see. They sat back and I was just, I was really surprised by that. And they let Barcelona take it to them, which they did. But in a massive game, a big final, this is Real Madrid. Why are they doing that? I'm sure the Madridistas weren't overly happy. I imagine it was part of a game plan where he thought that if we counter-attack against Barcelona's high line, because if they press right up, I would think if he just thinks if we defend properly, hit them on the counter-attack, then it will give them a better chance of victory.

18:20So I think that was a tactical ploy. Obviously, it didn't pay off because they didn't win. But I think that was half how they played the first time when they had a bit more success against Barcelona. So, yeah, I think that would have been a tactical ploy. If it doesn't work and you lose the game, then it's a double negative in a way. Because people will then go, well, Real Madrid, that's not how Real Madrid play football. We don't play counter-attack football. But I understand it from a tactical perspective of what he was trying to achieve. But Barcelona are a hard team to defend against, even if you sit in a relatively low block.

19:00I mean, they've got so much talent. And I mean, I love the way Barcelona play. At times, it seems crazy the way they do it without pressure on the ball. But I hope he continues to have success playing this way, Hansi Flick. What's that, eight finals he's now been in and he's currently won them all? Yeah, it's an incredible record at Bayern and Barcelona. Eight out of eight. That's unbelievable, isn't it? I'll give you an even better stat that obviously was put on the group chat this morning, so you would have seen it. Barcelona have scored 256 goals under Hansi Flick in just 88 games. 2.99 goals per game.

19:40I reckon that is almost three a game. that is a crazy stat isn't it it's incredible i mean i know they've got an amazing talent and i know sometimes they'll wipe the floor with teams but that consistency and and it is it's largely caused by the way flick plays because he plays so high i mean it goes against everything that you learn as a young player particularly for defenders and stuff but but boy didn't have to bring joy to the game of football. It's just, we'll outscore you. We'll outscore you. That's his attitude. And also they'll create many more opportunities because they're so high when they win the ball.

20:21If you win the ball up high, you've got not as far to go. The only thing I would say on it sometimes is that when teams are attacking you, you've got no pressure on the ball and they actually go towards the ball rather than drop off. I mean, it's mind-boggling but it's fun. Yeah, it is fun. And I think they're all on the same page, which is important as well. They look like a proper team, don't they? And you say there's so much talent in that Barcelona squad, which there is. There's also so much talent in that Real Madrid squad. But I think the difference is, and we saw it with Carlo Ancelotti, is that they relied too much on those moments of brilliance, that Vinicius Junior moment we were talking about just now.

21:05And I think that is the issue with this Real Madrid team. They're still relying on individuals as opposed to their overall team performance, which is what we saw from Barcelona. The commentator last night actually compared Barcelona to Pep's City team. Which Pep's City team though? Now. Now? Yeah. And I don't know about that. I'm not sure. Well, no, they're not. Manchester City, I mean, Manchester City play high. Yeah. And there is a degree of truth in that. They love to win the ball back very high. if they give it away they're immediately all over you and there are similarities in that sense where the similarities probably change and Manchester City can be vulnerable to the counter attack naturally for a team that plays really high so I get I get why he's making the comparison but Manchester City don't push forward from their back forward very often if there's no pressure on the ball and the thing about that is when you've got time on the ball to make a pass forward it's very easy for the forward to time his run and you can even run deep from midfield so I don't see that crazy nature of in Manchester City's side and I would say at the moment overall Barcelona probably have better players yes I think what they've produced at Barcelona mainly through mainly through their academy is quite remarkable and it's not the first time it's happened the player of the match the MVP I know you love that Gary MVP of the Spanish Super Cup The Americanisation of that game Superior player of the match The man of the match was Rafinha Yeah, I'm quite aware And how good was Rafinha?

22:50Honestly, two goals And I think since he's come back from injury He's just been so key And he was a contender for the Ballon d 'Or last season, wasn't he? Well, a lot of people thought that he should have won it Yeah And he was certainly a justified contender No question about that. I mean, obviously it counted against him, the fact they didn't win the Champions League and Dembele did. There wasn't a lot in it last season, I don't think, between three or four players. He could have conceivably won it. I don't think there'd been too many complaints. But also I think Dembele probably deserved it for the amazing year that he had.

23:27Surely Champions League is now main priority for Hansi Flick as well this season. You mentioned the eight finals, he's won the eight finals, but the Champions League is the one, isn't it, for Barcelona this season. The remarkable thing, I thought, that he wasn't named in the best 11, FIFA's best 11, wasn't it? Yeah. Which I think Hansi Flick actually was quite outspoken about and he's discussed at that decision. I think most of us would concur. He was brilliant last year and he's come back from injury, a long injury, as you said, and he's, after a few games, he's now absolutely, I mean, he did actually miss a chance before he scored.

24:03A minute or two, yeah. Where he pushed one wide and you thought, oh, I might pay for that. And two minutes later, he had a brilliant finish. I mean, I think we all knew we saw a talented player at Leeds United. I mean, obviously, he's not playing with the players like he's playing with in Barcelona, but the way he's kicked on over there has been absolutely spectacular. Yeah, yeah. Spectacular. So good. And Lewandowski at it again as well, Gary. He's having a brilliant season. I loved all the goals actually and that was also very clever very Lewandowski type finish I mean he's late 30s now but he's still he's still churning out the performances he's still scoring the goals when they count and yeah it was it was it was a very clever little finish I mean he's a very intelligent centre forward Gonzalo Garcia on the score sheet again Kylian Mbappe back from injury obviously he came on at the very end but the fact that he's back is key they have Copa del Rey next but I can't see I'm going to have to say it now I'm going to say it now I can't see Real Madrid winning La Liga this season I don't think there's going to be any stopping Barcelona that's a concession right there I'll take it yeah on the what is it 12th of January yeah well I must say I mean Barca has 10 wins in a row their last defeat of course was that exhilarated performance by Chelsea and at that stage of the season if someone has said to you right, Maresca will be sacked shortly and Hansi Flick will go from strength to strength.

25:41So you never know what's going to happen around the corner. Football is wild and also they obviously lost the Clasico. I went to that Clasico back in October. Real Madrid won that. Things were looking good. So things change very quickly in football, don't they? Marcus Rashford, he didn't come on until quite late on. I did see a thing from the club saying they're very pleased with the way Marcus has settled in. I know he didn't get much of a look in the Super Cup or even he came on just after half-time in the other game of the Super Cup against Athletic. And with Rafinha in that sort of form, it's going to be difficult for him to play too much football.

26:20But then, as we saw in the first half of the season, Lamin Umele was injured for a spell, Lewandowski was injured for a spell, Rafinha was injured for a spell. they can see that he's doing really well. And apparently they want to see if they can negotiate with Manchester United. I don't know whether you've heard that as well. No, no, I haven't heard that. But I think this does show that there probably isn't a place for Marcus Rashford in their strongest starting XI for the big games. But the fact that he does come on, he almost scored in the 83rd minute, didn't he? Just shot wide when he came on for Rafinha.

26:56so I think Rashford can say it's certainly been a positive season for him even if he's not starting week in, week out injuries as you say a lot of football to play he's still going to play a key part for Barcelona I think he rotates a lot as well I mean he really does when you've got that sort of talent and there's no real drop off particularly with the players that they've got particularly in those front positions So I think he'll play plenty of football. And he seems really happy there. 100%. He just seems like a right fit, doesn't he? And I think you can see it. For example, Trent at Real Madrid, that just has not gone well.

27:36Well, largely because of injury, of course. Yes, true. But then there's a lot of chat that, well, there's always a lot of chat, isn't there, in Madrid. But just saying that he hasn't really fully settled there and he's already been linked with a move back to England. It's really important to get off to a good start. You know, he's had bad luck. because he had two significant injuries. So he needs to be given more time. And once he gets back playing again, hopefully, it's a shame because before the last injury, the two or three games before, he was actually really good. And people said, ah, this is the player that we signed.

28:09And then to get another injury. So it shouldn't be too long, I don't think. No, I think he is fit again. He travelled to Jeddah, but obviously didn't play. so yeah let's see what happens with the rest of the season but not good as you say Real Madrid hate losing the fact that the front page of Marca this morning is we saw the headline was it Rafinha or was it Es el Jeque El Jeque is shake the shake the shake obviously it's important it's a trophy but there are maybe more important trophies to win this season absolutely I'm not bitter or anything but I'm just saying slightly bitter and you've already conceded the title.