Real Madrid President Florentino Perez has defended his managerial decisions from the past year, a period marked by three different coaches and a potential fourth in Alvaro Arbeloa, depending on summer developments. Many have questioned his choice to dismiss Xabi Alonso.
Perez held an unscheduled press conference Tuesday evening, asserting his defense against what he described as a “campaign against Real Madrid and himself.” However, he declined to comment on the club’s performance over the last two seasons, during which Real Madrid has failed to secure major trophies.
Perez’s Stance on Hiring and Sacking Xabi Alonso
The appointment of Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor last summer was widely supported. Following his press conference, Perez stated in an interview with La Sexta that appointing Alonso was not a mistake. He explained, “It was a matter of circumstances. It all stems from the Club World Cup; we didn’t have a preseason. When you don’t have a preseason, you suffer physically. We thought that with the change (the dismissal) we could solve it, but it only lasted a short while, and then they fell apart again.”
Perez Addresses Jose Mourinho Rumors
Jose Mourinho, currently managing Benfica, is reportedly a frontrunner to replace Arbeloa and is rumored to be in discussions with Perez about a return to the Santiago Bernabeu. Perez commented on Mourinho’s potential return, stating, “I like all coaches. Mourinho was with us and he raised our competitiveness. After his time there, we won six Champions Leagues in ten years.”
A key reason for Mourinho’s reported preference is his perceived ability to instill discipline in a dressing room that has shown instances of indiscipline. However, Perez denied any significant tension within the Real Madrid squad, remarking, “No. They get along perfectly well. Fights in training have been constant. Tell that to any club. But what other clubs don’t have is the bad faith of this orchestrated campaign.”
Perez acknowledged that physical altercations among players during training have been a recurring issue throughout his 26 years as president. Despite this, Real Madrid proceeded to fine Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde following a disciplinary investigation.
