Xabi Alonso 'provokes' another Madridist legend's departure: it's official, there's already a replacement

Real Madrid is going through an intense period, full of changes, in recent weeks. Not only because of the signings planned to arrive in Santiago Bernabéu locker room, coinciding with the urgency to win the Club World Cup. The executives led by Florentino Pérez are aiming for a radical change: that's why they've called an exemplary Madridist to their side: Xabi Alonso.

The hiring of the former Bayer Leverkusen coach as a replacement for Carlo Ancelotti, at the helm of the first team, not only considerably changes the makeup of Santiago Bernabéu locker room. It also alters the configuration of the lower categories of merengue soccer according to the latest official statement from the Madrid entity.

Real Madrid announced today the departure of Raúl González Blanco, former "7" and captain of the first team, who served as the coach of Real Madrid Castilla. "Raúl has informed the club of his decision to end his time as a coach in our youth academy", a decision made after some debates and several rather controversial decisions about his future.

Indeed, Raúl González Blanco always wanted to be the first team's coach following in Zinédine Zidane's footsteps. The instability of Carlo Ancelotti during the current soccer season seemed like his great opportunity, especially if the merengue board of directors decided to implement an interim coach. Raúl González was one of the possible interim candidates to lead the first team during the Club World Cup, but it couldn't happen.

new coach, new era

"For Real Madrid, it has been a source of pride to have one of the greatest legends in our history and in world soccer as a coach and mentor in our youth academy". Those words from Real Madrid respect the former player's decision and place him where he belongs despite the differences regarding his progression as a coach. 

The decision of Raúl González Blanco opens a debate about his succession that seems to be well on track. That departure from Real Madrid Castilla would allow one of the "strong men" of the new Real Madrid, under Xabi Alonso's tactical command, to take charge of the first reserve team. Álvaro Arbeloa would be chosen to take on that responsibility.

It's not official yet his "promotion" from Juvenil A to Real Madrid Castilla, but without a doubt it's a move that has been expected for some time now. Not only because of Raúl González's own departure, but also because of the sporting successes accumulated season after season by "El Espartano" in the third most important reserve team of La Fábrica.

The departure of Raúl González Blanco is a striking change in dynamics, with which Real Madrid strengthens their commitment to new generations of coaches for their teams. First it's Xabi Alonso and now one of his "strong men," Álvaro Arbeloa, takes up a position in a category in constant communication and transfer of football talent with the first team.