Real Madrid Confidencial Cristóbal Soria lashes out at Xabi Alonso and he hasn't even debuted yet: 'If he doesn't win the...'
The former delegate believes that the coach has come to win the Club World Cup and that if he doesn't do so, it is a failure
Xabi Alonso's debut as Real Madrid's coach hasn't happened yet, but he's already under scrutiny. As is usually the case against the white team, Cristóbal Soria has been one of the first to stir up controversy.
The El Chiringuito panelist hasn't shown any mercy to the Basque coach. During his appearance on El Chiringuito, he issued a strong warning: "If Xabi Alonso loses the Club World Cup, it's an absolute failure."
This comment sparked debate in the studio.
The first title, under scrutiny
Xabi Alonso faces his first challenge as Real Madrid's coach in the Club World Cup. It's a tournament that the whites approach with the "need" to restore their image after a season without winning LaLiga, Copa del Rey, or the Champions League.
Cristóbal Soria has no doubts. For him, the new coach must win no matter what. For him, there's no room for excuses or time to adapt.
"No one should come up with stories if he loses," he said live. "He's come to Real Madrid early to win the Club World Cup. Don't backtrack."
His words quickly sparked reactions. Some Madridist panelists wanted to highlight that he has the support of his fans and that they're not demanding this first title from him.
The rest of the panelists defend him
While Soria was firing shots, other contributors came to Xabi Alonso's defense. Most believe it's still too soon to judge him. "If he doesn't win the Club World Cup, no one will ask for his resignation," Balboa stated. "He's just arrived, he'll go into it with a week of training where the internationals haven't been present."
They also recalled that the squad remains very depleted despite the signings of Huijsen or Alexander-Arnold.
The tension in the studio was evident. Between Soria's demands and the caution of the rest, the media spotlight is already firmly on Xabi Alonso.
The Tolosa-born coach will make his debut in the tournament with all the pressure on his shoulders. He hasn't managed his first match yet, but the noise is already deafening.
The Club World Cup won't just be a tournament to compete in. It'll also be a barometer to measure the start of his project on the most demanding bench in the world.
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