Real Madrid's trophy drought continues, and the club's hierarchy is pointing fingers—not at the players, but at two critical missteps that derailed their season. For a club accustomed to silverware, going two years without a major trophy is a bitter pill to swallow.
The season started with promise under Xabi Alonso, but tensions in the dressing room quickly unraveled the momentum. A falling out among key figures led to poor results, culminating in Alonso's sacking in January. Alvaro Arbeloa, promoted from Castilla, took the reins but couldn't steady the ship. While there were fleeting bright moments, consistency was nowhere to be found.
The squad has faced relentless criticism from media, pundits, and even their own fans at the Santiago Bernabeu, where whistles have echoed for nearly every player. Yet, according to reports from Onda Cero, the club's upper management believes the players themselves are not to blame. Instead, they've identified two root causes for the disappointing campaign: poor physical preparation and errors in head coach selection.
Injuries have been a recurring nightmare for Los Blancos, with a staggering 51 fitness issues plaguing the squad throughout the season. The club made mid-season adjustments, bringing back fitness guru Antonio Pintus and appointing Dr. Niko Mihic as head of the medical department. But the damage was already done, and more changes to the medical staff are expected once the season concludes.
On the coaching front, club president Florentino Perez has reportedly acknowledged his mistake in the hiring process. Neither Alonso nor Arbeloa delivered the results expected at a club of Real Madrid's stature. Moving forward, Perez has vowed to personally oversee the next managerial appointment, ensuring no stone is left unturned in the search for the right leader.
For fans and players alike, the focus now shifts to the future. With a revamped medical team and a more deliberate coaching search, Real Madrid hopes to return to its winning ways. After all, in the world of elite football, two years without a trophy feels like an eternity.