Calderon Questions Perez’s “Presidentialist” Grip on Real Madrid After Alonso Exit

Former Real Madrid president Roman Calderon has questioned current supremo, Florentino Perez’s, complete control of the club following Xabi Alonso’s shocking dismissal. 

He described the club as a “presidentialist” institution, suggesting that key sporting calls are made without sufficient expert consultation.

Alonso’s Real Madrid stint has ended after only seven months, with Alvaro Arbeloa replacing him at the helm.

The former Bayer Leverkusen midfielder lost his job less than a day after Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.

Alonso will receive compensation from Real Madrid for the early dismissal, though it is reportedly less than initially anticipated.

BREAKING: ALVARO ARBELOA TAKES OVER AS NEW REAL MADRID HEAD COACH.

He’s replacing Xabi Alonso immediately. pic.twitter.com/p2ShHatGBM

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 12, 2026

Initially, it was reported that Alonso would stay on the job at least until the end of the season. However, Perez decided against giving him the opportunity, which has led to a thinly veiled jab from his former opponent, Calderon.

Calderon Questions Perez’s Control Over Real Madrid

Roman Calderon, who served as Real Madrid’s president between 2006 and 2009, suggested he would have handled the Xabi Alonso situation differently.

Calderon said after Alonso’s sacking on Monday (via beIN Sports):

“Indeed, a rumour about the possibility of him being dismissed, but yesterday’s game [the Supercopa loss] demonstrated that the team were not on the wrong path; they could perfectly have drawn or even won.

“The image was not bad, but it was indeed a painful defeat. Against Barcelona is always like that, but in the end, the president’s [Florentino Perez] decision has been to sack him.

“This is a presidentialist club; there is no sports director, and there is no proper sportive assessment, football-wise, so the president does and undoes.”

During his reign, Predrag Mijatovic served as the club’s sporting director. Calderon said he would have asked the former Real Madrid player to take the call on Alonso’s future.

Some Real Madrid players got some messages for xabi Alonso pic.twitter.com/yQplKtTvZ6

— TINA (@Tina_RM5) January 12, 2026

He added:

“I would have asked the sporting director, in my case, Pedja Mijatovic, and his team were the ones who made the sporting decisions, because they were the ones who knew.

“I have always said that the fan who knows the most knows less than the professional who knows the least.

“Ultimately, the professionals are the ones who have to make the decisions; they know the weaknesses and strengths of the squads, the characteristics of the coaches.”

Alonso’s successor, Arbeloa, has a massive task ahead of him. He has never managed a first-division team and has very limited experience coaching a senior side.

He needs to impress Perez and co. in the limited time he has available to earn a long-term contract. His journey begins with the Copa del Rey Round of 16 clash with Albacete on Wednesday night.