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Xabi Alonso is set to return to Real Madrid as head coach, but his transition isn’t without early tension. As preparations begin for the post-Carlo Ancelotti era, club president Florentino Pérez has already overridden Alonso’s first major staffing decision—keeping long-serving fitness coach Antonio Pintus.
According to The Athletic, Alonso had planned to bring in fitness expert Alberto Encinas from Bayer Leverkusen, with the expectation that Pintus would be either reassigned or leave. Despite recent criticism over the team’s ongoing injury troubles, Pérez has insisted Pintus stay on with the first-team staff.
Internal Politics and Clashing Visions
Alonso is not arriving empty-handed. Alongside signings like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen, he will bring assistant Sebas Parrilla and Encinas from his previous coaching setup. He will have a voice in transfer decisions and staffing, but not final authority—a model similar to that used with Ancelotti.
This comes amid a broader push to address key gaps in the squad. Another potential signing is Álvaro Carreras, while the club is also looking to bring in a new midfielder.
Despite the injury-plagued season, where only Endrick Felipe, Arda Güler, and Luka Modrić avoided major setbacks, Pérez does not believe Pintus is to blame. Instead, he sees him as an irreplaceable asset with a unique role in the club’s success.
Pintus to Remain Despite Friction
Pintus’s position became controversial after reports suggested he was behind leaks from inside Valdebebas, worsening tensions with Ancelotti’s technical staff. Still, Pérez remains firmly in his corner and has no intention of letting him leave.
“He is the key to winning the Champions League.”
That quote reportedly reflects Pérez’s unwavering trust in Pintus, who has worked with multiple Real Madrid managers across different eras.
With Alonso stepping into the dugout amid high expectations, the early power struggle serves as a reminder of the internal dynamics that shape decisions at one of football’s biggest clubs. Whether the relationship between Alonso and Pintus can thrive remains to be seen, but the president’s influence is already setting the tone for the new regime.
This article was updated 4 weeks ago