Xabi Alonso reflects on his departure from Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso has spoken about his departure from Real Madrid, which happened around nine months ago, in an interview with Sky Sports, as reported by Foot Mercato. The current Chelsea manager opened up about that period of his career, breaking the silence he had maintained until now.

A departure deemed premature

According to Voetbalprimeur, Xabi Alonso would have liked to stay longer at the helm of the Madrid club, but he insists he holds no grudge against his former employer. The Spanish coach acknowledges that his departure came earlier than expected, while he was still in contention for titles, as Estadio Deportivo notes.

Asked by former English player Jamie Carragher, Xabi Alonso said, as quoted by Bola na Rede: "I am left with the feeling that it ended a little earlier than planned, without knowing whether it was going to end well or badly." A Bola reports similar comments, headlining that it ended a little earlier than planned.

A brief spell at the Santiago Bernabéu

Estadio Deportivo mentions a brief spell at the Santiago Bernabéu. Xabi Alonso, who insists he holds no resentment towards the white club, acknowledges that his departure was too early, as he was still fighting for titles at that time, according to the Spanish outlet.

Mundo Deportivo has also published a headline on the subject, indicating that Xabi Alonso spoke about his departure from Real Madrid, without providing further details in the headline alone, which is all that is available.

A new chapter at Chelsea

Since leaving Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso has taken the reins at Chelsea, where he currently serves as head coach. This new chapter in his career comes after a spell at the Madrid club that ended earlier than expected, in his own words as reported by several media outlets.