Xabi Alonso came into conflict with several of the superegos in the Real Madrid squad, the coach and the club president realized that the road ahead would be extra tortuous. This sent Alonso out of the club after seven months, in came second-team coach Alvaro Arbeloa with a more “bow to the perceptions of the stars” attitude. It has given individual results, but probably not enough to convince him to get the permanent coaching job. Now there are reports of a candidate who will make Xabi Alonso seem like a little “cat”.
You only have to take a glance at Didier Deschamps to know that the Frenchman is rock tough and uncompromising. He showed it as a France international, since 2012 as national team coach of Les Bleus. Deschamps is now entering his final months as French national team coach in this summer’s World Cup finals, but has signalled he is not looking to retire.
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According to RMC Sport , Real Madrid have picked up on signals that the 57-year-old is ready for new challenges and club football, according to the French media, Deschamps is now on the list of candidates at Los Blancos.
Deschamps led France to World Cup triumph in 2018 and to the final of the tournament in 2022. In January 2025, he announced that the 2026 World Cup will be his last tournament as national team coach.
Kylian Mbappé and Aurélien Tchouaméni are said to have a good relationship with Deschamps, but for a player like Brazilian Vinicius Jr., this could be a tough encounter if Deschamps gets the Real job. With the Frenchman, prima donna beats donna work poorly, Deschamps has long training in directing several of the biggest egos in the industry to work as a team – on his terms.
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We conclude with Vinicius Jr. summing up his relationship with Xabi Alonso:
“My time with Xabi was a learning experience. I have become a better person. I couldn’t work with him, but I have a good relationship with (Alvaro) Arbeloa, and he has given me a lot of confidence – just like Ancelotti did,” Vinicius Junior said this week, according to Marca.
A little tip for Vinicius Jr. and the other superstars. If Deschamps becomes the next Real Madrid coach, he has negotiated the condition that he is the boss – and does not allow himself to be pushed out like Alonso.
