Xabi Alonso has already made it clear that his style as Real Madrid's coach will be shaped by two very different influences.
During his career as a footballer, he worked under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich. He also worked under José Mourinho at Real Madrid. These are two coaches with opposing visions, but who left an indelible mark on him.
The new coach doesn't just copy, but has admitted on several occasions that he seeks a balance. On one hand, he adopts Guardiola's idea of controlling matches through possession and territorial dominance.
On the other hand, he has learned from Mourinho the value of being a club man. He has learned to be able to defend the badge under any circumstances, both on and off the field. Against everything and everyone.
First gestures on Madrid's bench
In his first LaLiga press conference, Alonso avoided cold messages. He quickly got involved in the debate about the schedule, making a public criticism of the harm caused to Real Madrid.
He also didn't avoid the controversial Villarreal-Barça match in Miami. This intervention was reminiscent of Mourinho's days: direct, controversial, and with a hint of defiance.
His position isn't accidental. Florentino Pérez wants a coach who is in tune with the line set by the club in recent years. Here, Real Madrid TV has played a key role by pointing out refereeing injustices and organizational problems, as Mourinho did in the past.
Alonso has shown that he won't hesitate to get into the mud when necessary.
Mourinho's legacy, present in his speech
From Mourinho, he takes the fighting spirit. The Portuguese coach turned his press conferences into weapons to protect the locker room, and Alonso seems willing to follow that path. The coach from Tolosa doesn't shy away from media confrontation, something that has already become apparent in his first statements.
Madridism welcomes him enthusiastically, aware that a coach with character is back, one who doesn't hide. Above all, one who defends the club above everything else.
That profile has been missing in recent times. Florentino understands that it may be the best way to keep the locker room united in the face of external pressures.
Guardiola, the other side of the coin
However, it would be unfair to limit his learning only to Mourinho. Alonso has also spoken about Guardiola with respect, highlighting the influence of his obsession with controlling the game. His Real Madrid wants to have the ball, set the tempo, and minimize chance as much as possible.
The mix is interesting: Mourinho's pragmatism and media confrontation, combined with Guardiola's positional control and tactical discipline. This combination promises to give Real Madrid its own personality in the coming years.
A Real Madrid with its own identity
In Alonso, one can recognize the legacy of the two most influential coaches of the 21st century. The club trusts that this mix will allow it to face a new era full of challenges, from generational renewal to European dominance.
Time will tell if the gamble pays off, but what is clear is that Alonso doesn't want to go unnoticed. His character and his way of communicating point to a much more prominent Madrid both in the offices and on the field.