You can't fight with Real Madrid stars — Zidane explains why Alonso was sacked

Real Madrid have become unarguably the biggest club in world football but also one of the hardest clubs to manage.

While Xabi Alonso barely lasted 6 months, one man who successfuly navigated the dangerous terrain on multiple occasions is Zinedine Zidane.

Speaking on the YouTube channel of his longtime confidant and former staff member, Hamidou Msaidie, Zidane insisted that a coach’s survival at Madrid depends entirely on their relationship with the dressing room.

The interview comes just days after Alonso was sacked following a disastrous run of form and reported friction with star players.

Zidane, who famously led the club to three consecutive Champions League titles, explained that his own success was built on a player-first approach.

“At Real Madrid, we were at the players’ disposal,” Zidane told Msaidie via GOAL.

“For me, that’s what makes something strong, you’re there for the player. If you still don’t get it, you won’t be able to stay in this job."

He emphasised that imposing a rigid system against the players' will is a recipe for disaster.

“We’re here to help them; you need to let them know you’re here for them. For the dressing room to support what you want to do, they need to like us.

"If the players don’t agree with everything you set up, the training and all of that, something will always be missing.”