Bayern Munich legends Oliver Kahn and Dietmar Hamann have strongly criticized Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso amid a difficult spell for the Spanish giants this season, Idman.Biz reports.
According to Kahn, Alonso’s philosophy does not fit Real Madrid’s traditional style of play, where freedom and the individuality of star players have always played a key role. The former Germany goalkeeper noted that positional football and rigid tactical frameworks require very specific player profiles, while Real Madrid have historically enjoyed success under coaches who knew how to unlock their players’ potential rather than force them into a strict system.
Dietmar Hamann, in turn, focused on issues of discipline and the coach’s authority. He argued that the situation worsened after the boycott of the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony, when Vinicius Junior failed to win the award. Hamann believes this episode set a dangerous precedent and gave the Brazilian a sense of being bigger than the club. As further evidence, he pointed to the lack of serious sanctions following Vinicius’ emotional reaction to being substituted in the match against Barcelona.
Amid the criticism, Real Madrid are going through a challenging period. After a strong start to the season, the team began dropping points, winning only two of their last eight matches in all competitions. In La Liga, Real trail Barcelona by four points, while in the Champions League standings they currently sit seventh.
In the near future, Xabi Alonso faces a key task of stabilizing the situation and finding a balance between tactical principles and the freedom of expression demanded by his star players. Real Madrid are set to face Alaves in La Liga on Sunday before continuing their Copa del Rey campaign.
