"Former defender Alvaro Arbeloa has been immediately installed as his replacement, but the swift dismissal of a club legend has drawn sharp criticism from across the footballing world, including from former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Speaking to ServusTV (quotes via The Mirror) shortly after the news broke, Jurgen Klopp, currently the Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, wasted no time defending Xabi Alonso."
"(My phone) actually has (been ringing) though not from Madrid. But yes, there were definitely a few people who felt they had to contact me directly about it! I was surprised, that's true, genuinely surprised. If Xabi Alonso, who over the last two years in Leverkusen has shown what an outstanding coaching talent he is is then forced to leave Madrid just six months later, it shows a few things. I think it's another sign that something isn't quite right there at the moment."
Real Madrid parted ways with Xabi Alonso seven months into his tenure after a 3-2 Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona and a run of inconsistent form. Reports cite dressing-room friction with key Galacticos as a factor. Former defender Alvaro Arbeloa was immediately installed as interim replacement. The decision provoked sharp criticism across European football. Jurgen Klopp, serving as Head of Global Soccer for Red Bull, publicly defended Alonso, citing his outstanding work at Bayer Leverkusen and suggesting the club environment, rather than the coach, was to blame. Klopp described the dismissal as surprising and symptomatic of deeper issues at the Bernabeu.
Read at www.caughtoffside.com
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