Xabi Alonso reflects on leaving Real Madrid and sees ‘scar healed’ for Chelsea project

Coach Xabi Alonso transparently discussed his experience at Real Madrid, admitting mistakes during his leadership at the Spanish club, in a statement made on August 2, 2026. The coach, now at Chelsea, revealed that he had encountered difficulties both in implementing his style of play and in managing the players, ensuring, however, that the frustration was overcome.

“Fortunately, I haven’t accumulated many scars in my professional career. Yes, I have a mark, but it has healed. With this healing, I feel extremely motivated and ready to embrace this new chapter, just as I felt when I started at Real Madrid”, said Xabi Alonso.

Spanish coach Xabi Alonso took charge of Real Madrid in June 2025 after a successful period leading Bayer Leverkusen, where he built a reputation as a tactical innovator. However, his journey at the Madrid club was brief, ending in January 2026, lasting just over seven months.

Alonso revealed that he used the time away from the field to analyze his performance at Real Madrid in depth. As the technician explained, this experience was crucial for discerning the successes and understanding the approaches that could have been different.

“When reviewing the past, I retain both the favorable aspects and what did not develop well. I was extremely self-critical, reflecting on what I could have improved, as the results did not correspond to my projections. We learn from the frustration of events that did not materialize and seek improvement”, stated Xabi Alonso.

When detailing the reasons for the interruption of his work, Xabi Alonso avoided focusing on a single cause. The Spaniard stated that the difficulties covered several facets of the team’s management.

“There are countless experiences, the adaptation that became necessary, certain approaches that were effective and others that were not, covering both game strategy and group management. It’s a set of factors,” he said.

After leaving Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso spent a few months away from the field. The coach said that he reduced his involvement with football during this period, seeking to recharge his essential energy to resume his profession.

“I dedicated this time, above all, to replenish my energy. As a coach, it is essential to have full energy to inspire the rest of the team. It is crucial to communicate passion and fervor in each training session and in each game strategy. I didn’t follow football much, my main focus was taking care of myself”, said Xabi Alonso.

Xabi Alonso began his journey at Chelsea in July 2026. The Spaniard explained that he accepted the invitation after realizing that his perception of the club’s current situation coincided with that of the directors responsible for the sporting vision.

“I had an external perspective on Chelsea. I was able to identify both the positive aspects and my concerns. The club and its sporting directors had gone through a period of transformation, with strengths and areas that needed adjustment. The most important thing was that our assessments were identical. If our views diverged, it would probably not be the right start,” he said.