"The images travelled fast. Kylian Mbappe gesturing for his team-mates to leave the pitch. Xabi Alonso asking him to stay. Mbappe insisting. And Xabi, eventually, turning away and doing as his star demanded. No guard of honour for Barcelona after their Spanish Super Cup win on Sunday. For many, it looked like a lack of sporting grace, something never associated with Xabi Alonso. It also suggested something else entirely, that the team, not the manager, was in charge."
"But this was not a resignation. And it was not planned. Xabi Alonso did not expect to be leaving as Real Madrid boss - just seven months after being appointed. Not yet anyway. In the official statement, Real Madrid described the departure as "mutual agreement" but it was a departure that was ultimately inevitable. Image source, Getty Images After many disagreements with their manager about tactics and approach over the last few months,"
Kylian Mbappe gestured for his team-mates to leave the pitch while Xabi Alonso asked him to stay; Mbappe insisted and Alonso eventually turned away. No guard of honour followed Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup win. The episode suggested the team, rather than the manager, held influence after a tight final decided by a deflection. Xabi Alonso did not expect to be leaving as Real Madrid boss only seven months after his appointment. Real Madrid termed the departure 'mutual agreement' while the board cited ambiguous criticisms including failure to implement the Leverkusen style, suboptimal physical condition, lack of player improvement, and players not appearing to play for him. Despite cited defeats, the club remained competitive across competitions.
Read at www.bbc.com
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