Latest news with #SantiagoBernabeu
New York Times
8 hours ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Why do Real Madrid coaches often favour stars over style?
When we talk about Real Madrid, we tend to celebrate players more than coaches, with more focus on individual brilliance instead of inspired ideas perfected on the training ground. It is a deep-rooted trend that dates back at least to the 1950s — the decade during which then-Madrid president Santiago Bernabeu went out to sign the best talents around, including Alfredo Di Stefano, Ferenc Puskas and Raymond Kopa. It gave rise to the club's first golden era, with Madrid winning five consecutive European Cups between 1956 and 1960. Advertisement From that time to the present day, the same mantra can be traced, up to and including the strategy of current president Florentino Perez, who always says in public and in private that he has followed in Bernabeu's footsteps. But it has not been a constant theme. There have been periods of contrast, managers who wanted to go against the grain. The appointment of Xabi Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement is another example of the cycle turning. Already, we have seen his different approach at the Club World Cup, where Madrid reached the semi-finals before being knocked out with a 4-0 defeat by Paris Saint-Germain. So why have Madrid so often preferred to rely on the leadership of their star names over that of their managers? And what does it mean for Alonso as he shapes his new-look side? Perhaps the best illustration of Madrid's preference for individuals over tactics comes from taking a look at their most successful coaches. 'The last seven European Cups were won with (Vicente) del Bosque, (Zinedine) Zidane and (Carlo) Ancelotti, who are not particularly tactical coaches,' Jorge Valdano, the former Madrid and Argentina striker who also served as the club's general manager, tells The Athletic. 'I remember that on one occasion within the club, they asked Zidane how he liked to play at the back, with four or three players, and Zidane answered that it was not the important thing. 'For him, the relationship between the great players was important, above all that an atmosphere of communion between all of them would generate the competitiveness that every coach seeks. Method was always placed below the talent of the players.' Historically, Madrid's directors, and especially its presidents, have played a key role in the club's sporting decisions. Their argument is that coaches come and go, while those executives can provide a stable, long-term project. Advertisement But one of the consequences is that coaches have less room to make decisions than at other clubs. It means those who have been selected for the Bernabeu dugout have often stood out for their diplomacy rather than any grand ideas. All that has been reflected in Madrid's style of play, which is regularly based on players' characteristics rather than any one coach's vision. During his second spell at the club from 2021 to 2025, Ancelotti's staff emphasised that players became better by sharing the pitch with their team-mates. They argued that the team's members then had the freedom to flourish collectively while also shining individually. Not that this approach has always worked — sometimes the directors have regretted conceding so much ground to the players. After Perez's first exit as president in 2006 (he was re-elected in 2009), he famously said he had 'brought up the players (the galacticos he had signed) badly', which featured on the front cover of Spanish sports daily Marca. That was the second season in a row Madrid had finished without any silverware despite having stars such as David Beckham, Zidane and Ronaldo. Fabio Capello took the reins at Madrid that year for a second time after spells at Milan, Roma and Juventus. 'It was important to have a different style of play,' the former England manager tells The Athletic of the 2006-07 season. 'When I came to the team, I worked a lot tactically, I understood that the whole team had to move together up front and behind to have balance. It was not a conservative style. 'Now everyone who talks about football talks about this — that you have to run, that you have to help each other — but that's just what I used to do. It's very simple. I decided to sell Ronaldo — he was out for two and a half months because he was injured. Advertisement 'I tried to make the team more collective than individualistic. Both times, I came from two periods when we didn't win much (in 1995-96, Madrid finished sixth in La Liga and were trophyless). The most important thing is that everyone was a collective.' Capello's approach helped Madrid win La Liga for the first time in four years, although they exited both the Champions League and the Copa del Rey at the round of 16. The Italian was sacked 11 days after that league win — interestingly, then-sporting director Predrag Mijatovic said 'we always have to look for people who can give us more than just results' when announcing the decision. Alonso has implemented a different approach since arriving before the Club World Cup. In an interview with DAZN after Madrid's round-of-16 win against Juventus, he said he had listened to Ancelotti during the season when talking about problems of balance with the team's four star forwards, Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham. Alonso has stressed to the players that they should make an effort to defend and work equally. One source close to a player in the squad wondered whether such intensity and specific instructions would be 'sustainable' in the long term, and above all whether well-established players would have the humility to accept all of Alonso's ideas. In a way, that is what happened in the 2012-13 season, Jose Mourinho's third and final year as Madrid coach, when Alonso was a player at the Bernabeu. Mourinho had moulded the team in his image: putting pressure on rivals, playing an extremely direct style and exerting total control over the dressing room. But despite winning the league the previous season with a record-breaking 100 points and 121 goals (the points total was equalled by Barcelona the following season), the Portuguese coach's demanding methods eventually led to a dressing-room rift. Sergio Ramos, Pepe, Cristiano Ronaldo and goalkeeper Iker Casillas did not agree with Mourinho's methods and distanced themselves from the coach. That was clear in the Copa del Rey final they lost against Diego Simeone's Atletico Madrid — the final game of Mourinho's tenure, when he was sent off in the 75th minute. The players appeared to be managing their team-mates from the bench after that dismissal. Advertisement Another clear example was Rafa Benitez, two years after Mourinho's departure. One of the anecdotes that best defines the situation was when the Spanish press published reports that Benitez had insisted to Luka Modric that he should not hit the ball with his instep — supposedly because it was not an effective pass. In 2023, Benitez denied that in an interview with radio station Cadena Ser: 'I simply told him that he didn't have to hit the ball like that in three-metre movements because the ball comes to the receiver with spin. He hits it sensationally with the outside of his boot, but on 15, 20 or 30-metre shots.' The Spaniard did not last long and was quickly replaced by Zidane in 2016, promoted from the 'B' team, Castilla. So how have the players responded to Alonso's methods? Mbappe and Vinicius Jr were the two players who seemed to struggle the most with off-the-ball work last season. Both showed some signs of change during the tournament in the United States. The club's board described the arrival of the Basque coach as a 'change of cycle'. Alonso, meanwhile, said exactly what fans wanted to hear in his unveiling press conference when he described how his team would 'transmit energy and emotion'. 'As football is becoming more and more tactical, we have arrived at this Real Madrid where Xabi Alonso is a coach with very, very clear ideas, undoubtedly influenced by his time at Bayern Munich and by his time with Guardiola's team (he coached Alonso at Bayern from 2014-2016),' says Valdano. 'All the teams that have been trying to impose themselves on the international scene lately end up giving more importance to the coach than to the players. Xabi is going to have to compete with Mbappe, Vinicius and other big names who have a lot of stature. But hiring Xabi means hiring more collective influence.' Advertisement The signs seemed to be promising before that semi-final drubbing by PSG. And Madrid need the project to work after finishing a season without any major trophies for the first time in four years. But whether Alonso's approach leads to him joining Zidane, Ancelotti and company on the list of Madrid's great coaches — or going the way of Mourinho or Benitez — remains to be seen. (Top photos: Alonso and Zidane have contrasting management styles; by Getty Images)
Zawya
a day ago
- Business
- Zawya
Cisco and Real Madrid expand partnership to redefine sports innovation with AI and connectivity
Dubai, UAE — Cisco and Real Madrid have announced the multi-year extension of their long-standing global partnership, reaffirming Cisco's position as an Official Technology Partner of the club. This agreement will incorporate Cisco's advanced technology at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and significant enhancements to Real Madrid Sports City – the club's official training complex. The collaboration marks the next phase of a strategic collaboration between Cisco and Real Madrid that continues to set new benchmarks in connected sports experiences and operational excellence. In 2024, the two organizations completed a full-scale digital transformation of the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, positioning it as one of the most technologically advanced sports venues in the world. Cisco delivered a unified Software Defined Access (SDA) network, the first of its kind in a European stadium, offering secure, segmented connectivity throughout the venue. Cisco's cloud-based IP Fabric for Media enabled real-time content delivery to more than 2,500 screens across the stadium and supported global broadcasting for millions of fans. Cisco's cybersecurity and observability platforms continue to ensure seamless operations, threat protection, and full visibility across Real Madrid's digital footprint. As part of this extended partnership, Cisco will now upgrade Real Madrid Sports City, the Club's official training headquarters, with the latest digital infrastructure. This includes the deployment of a new, AI-ready data center designed to handle both traditional and next-generation workloads while optimizing for energy efficiency and operational agility. The training facility will also be equipped with Cisco Wi-Fi 7, enabling ultra-fast, low-latency wireless connectivity for fans and employees. In addition, Cisco will deploy a high-speed 100 Gbps network infrastructure between Real Madrid Sports City and the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. This interconnection, powered by Cisco's Application Centric Infrastructure (ACI), will allow for secure and seamless communication between the two locations, providing centralized control and real-time coordination across Real Madrid's operations. Today, the Real Madrid Sports City serves as a real-time digital command center, capable of remotely managing every connected device within the stadium. With enhanced automation, intelligence, and visibility enabled by Cisco technologies, the Club is further streamlining operations and enriching the experience for fans and athletes alike. Cisco and Real Madrid first joined forces in 2022 with a shared ambition to transform the Club's infrastructure into a model of innovation and digital performance. Since then, Cisco's role has grown to power every layer of Real Madrid's connected ecosystem, from stadium connectivity and media distribution to cybersecurity and smart facility management. By extending their partnership, Cisco and Real Madrid are shaping the future of sports through technology. The Santiago Bernabéu and Real Madrid Sports City now stand as global models of what's possible when innovation and tradition come together.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Florentino Perez dealt setback to Real Madrid ownership plans
'Real Madrid must change and adapt in order to defend its interests' – that was the message from President Florentino Perez at the Real Madrid general assembly back in November. It was the first public acknowledgement of a series of stories that the man at the top was looking into a potential change to the ownership model at the Santiago Bernabeu. The most decorated club in European Cup history has been owned by the members since its inception 122 years ago, and despite falling on fallow times during the civil war, was turned into a behemoth by Bernabeu. Thus far, presidents remain elected by members though, even if Perez has run largely unopposed for much of the 21st century. Advertisement What exactly is Florentino Perez proposing? Official details are hazy, but Perez had the following to say at the general assembly earlier this season. 'We will bring to this assembly a proposal for the club's corporate reorganisation that will clearly secure our future, protect us from the threats we are facing and, above all, ensure that we members are the real owners of our club, the real owners of our financial assets in our own right.' Image via Relevo / AFP Previous reports had indicated that he was planning on converting Real Madrid members into shareholders, in a model which would ensure that 51% of the shareholders would remain Real Madrid members. The idea was that members could not sell their shares, and would only be passed onto family, while being able to attract foreign investment. Advertisement Perez advised against changing Real Madrid ownership However a report from El Confidencial, as referenced by Sport, reveals that Clifford Chance, have advised against the idea. The US consultancy firm has has been working with Perez on the idea, and sent him a report on the matter, highlighting potential issues. Their opinion is that allocating the shares to the Real Madrid Foundation would go against current legislation, and the alternative would be to convert the club into a private company like other clubs. That would in turn potentially wrest control of the club from the members. Any change to the ownership model must be approved by a majority vote from the members.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso on Rodrygo Goes future – ‘Throughout this championship…'
Real Madrid had bigger concerns on their mind after a humbling defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. However the future of Brazilian star Rodrygo Goes remains one of the significant topics of debate at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Wednesday night did little to ease speculation. Despite the fact Xabi Alonso went for three up front against PSG, Rodrygo was again nowhere to be seen. He spent the entire game on the bench, with Gonzalo Garcia and Brahim Diaz used ahead of him. 'No decisions made' on Rodrygo future It has been a regular question that Alonso has faced during the Club World Cup, and Alonso has previously indicated that he believes Rodrygo could get back to his best, and was keen to play. However it was again a topic for Alonso to deal with after he stayed on the bench. Advertisement 'The fact that he didn't play again was a decision based on the game. The way things were going, we needed a different player. Throughout this championship, there haven't been any decisions about the future; we haven't rotated much.' Image viaAlonso leaves Club World Cup with 'certainties' In spite of remaining non-committal on Rodrygo's future, Alonso did say that he had a clearer idea of what Real Madrid needed going into the summer. He also seemed to hint that he at least was keen for Los Blancos to be active in the transfer market. Rodrygo on Arsenal agenda The main suitor for Rodrygo appears to be Arsenal. However the Gunners have no plans to move for him until later in the transfer window. Back in Madrid, the plan is for Alonso to discuss his plans with Rodrygo before a decision is made on it, but Real Madrid are open to a sale for the right price. Without a significant U-turn, it appears his future is away from the Santiago Bernabeu.
Yahoo
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid players to receive huge bonus from club upon winning the Club World Cup
Real Madrid bagged a 1-0 win against Juventus in the Round of 16 of the Club World Cup on July 1 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. With this victory, Los Blancos have booked their spot in the competition's quarterfinal. Real Madrid have lifted the Club World Cup trophy five times so far. Advertisement The 2024/25 season saw an underwhelming run from Real Madrid, who concluded the campaign with a second-place La Liga finish and no major trophies. This makes winning this year's Club World Cup title a bigger priority for the Spanish giants. While speaking in the team's locker room, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez emphasized on the importance of the Club World Cup and stated that the ongoing competition is of similar importance as the Champions League, according to the Spanish newspaper, AS. Perez further bolstered his point by promising Real Madrid players a huge bonus if they are able to bring the Club World Cup to Santiago Bernabeu. How much will Real Madrid award their players for winning the Club World Cup? The aforementioned report suggested that each Real Madrid player individually will receive a bonus of €1 million if they win the Club World Cup. Advertisement 📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp This marks to be the largest bonus Los Blancos have ever given to their players for such a short competition, and it is almost on par with what they offer for winning the Champions League. Real Madrid have already received a reported €55.16 million from their progress in the Club World Cup so far, and the amount will keep increasing with their further advancement in the competition. This makes the La Liga giants' plans of offering individual player bonuses for winning the Club World Cup financially plausible. Real Madrid are set to lock horns with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund in the quarterfinal of the Club World Cup on July 5 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. Advertisement Real Madrid news and related links
