Dutchman Wesley Sneijder believes that Xabi Alonso, the new Real Madrid coach, has what it takes to succeed in his return to the Santiago Bernabéu. However, he also delivers a clear warning: success depends not only on tactical skill but also on the ability to manage the locker room.

The Basque coach took charge of the Madrid squad in a complicated context, following a season marked by the loss of titles both in Spain and Europe, and a generational shift in progress. The departures of key figures such as Carlo Ancelotti, Luka Modric, and Lucas Vázquez paved the way for a new era. Now, the responsibility lies with the former midfielder, who had his first interaction with the group during the Club World Cup.

Although the team’s performance in that tournament fell short of expectations, Xabi Alonso’s efforts were acknowledged, particularly for his attempt to establish a new footballing identity. A change that, according to many experts, could pay off in the medium term—if the team’s internal dynamics are managed correctly.

"Talent isn’t enough, structure is essential"

Drawing from his experience as a player in elite clubs, Sneijder emphasized in an interview with Winwin-allsports that Alonso’s success will depend on his ability to bring order to a squad full of stars: "Xabi is very smart, he has clear ideas and knows the environment. He can succeed at Madrid if he manages to control the egos in the dressing room. Great players need structure. If they play for the team and not for themselves, they can be unstoppable."

The former Inter Milan player recalled examples such as José Mourinho, who famously convinced Samuel Eto’o to play a defensive role to help eliminate Guardiola’s Barcelona and Lionel Messi on the road to Inter’s historic treble in 2010.

Now, after leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga title, Xabi Alonso faces a new challenge in Madrid—an environment where emotional intelligence and man-management are just as crucial as tactical brilliance.

Examples like Zinedine Zidane, who successfully united superstars such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Modric, and Sergio Ramos to win three consecutive Champions League titles, could serve as a key reference for the Spanish coach’s new project.

The ball is now in his court. The future of Real Madrid will largely depend on how Xabi Alonso gets the individual stars to work together for the collective good.