Kay Murray

Hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC.

Kay Murray, Craig Burley and Stevie Nicholl here in the studio.

And the big news today is the departure of Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid coach.

Club statement today saying that the two would be parting ways by mutual consent.

Just a reminder of how things have played out.

He was appointed at the beginning of the season in the summer for 2025.

We saw him come in.

And on July 9th, 2025, he loses to PSG because he takes over for the Club World Cup.

They lose out in the semi-finals there, 4-0 as well, a quite significant loss.

As the season opens, it starts great.

Seven straight wins for Real Madrid and everybody's happy.

Well, not Vinny.

He might be a bit happier now.

Things got really well, even after they had lost to Atleti, which didn't go down too well.

They did win his first Classico in La Liga.

However, as Craig mentioned, we start to see some of those cracks with Vinny.

He had a tantrum as he was subbed off.

November the 1st, 2025, won 13 of their first 14 games.

That one that wasn't won was at the Metropolitano.

Two wins in eight games, November 4th through December 10th.