David Ornstein confirmed the Xabi Alonso issue Real Madrid fans knew all along

Dave Ornstein has explained why it was never going to work for Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid following his shock dismissal earlier this week. The Spaniard parted ways with Los Blancos after a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final.

Alonso was appointed on a three-year contract last summer, replacing Carlo Ancelotti. He was tasked with taking the club in a new direction following the Italian's hugely successful second spell at the Estadio Bernabeu.

There were signs at the FIFA Club World Cup that patience was going to be key as Alonso looked to put his stamp on the squad and implement his playing philosophy. But the uncertainty that comes with taking the job always looms over those who are in the Madrid hotseat.

Alonso didn't just leave due to performances or results nor the defeat to Barca in the final. What was meant to be a new era at the Bernabeu was abandoned because of issues that Ornstein has made clear.

Ornstein: Alonso wasn't a good fit for Real Madrid

Alonso oversaw 24 wins in 34 games during his brief spell in charge at the club he became a hero with as a player. He is joint-fifth on the list of managers with the best win percentage in the La Liga giants' history.

There were constant rumors of problems between Alonso and his players that simmered in the background amid topsy-turvy form. That was clear when Vinicius Junior put contract talks on hold and it seems he waited for Florentino Perez to pull the plug on the coach before returning to the negotiating table.

Ornstein highlighted how Madrid are a club run by Perez and the players rather than the coach. He said on The Athletic:

"This is Real Madrid and the coaches don't rule the hierarchy, Florentino Perez essentially at the top of the tree and of course the players do. How do you replace Carlo Ancelotti, because he was perfect for that group?

"Stories about Toni Kroos giving team talks and Dani Carvajal arranging the tactics with Kroos for the Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund. That wasn't a one-off occurrence, and this vision of him (Ancelotti) sort of sitting in the dressing room smoking a cigar while his senior leaders kind of run the show. That is quintessential Real Madrid."

Alonso arrived at Madrid after a hugely impressive spell in charge of Bayer Leverkusen. He ended Bayern Munich's stranglehold of the Bundesliga title, guiding Leverkusen to their first-ever title and doing so unbeaten.

The Spaniard was given full rein to call the shots at BayArena something that wasn't possible at the Bernabeu:

"How on earth a coach like Alonso is going to come in and succeed,? Not necessarily the Galactico but a team that is run by individuals and off-the-cuff quality as opposed to necessarily adhering to plans and structure, and that's exactly what Alonso brings with him. He's going to need control over that group and that's something you don't get at Real Madrid."

There is a culture problem at Madrid that means only coaches who are prepared to lean on the senior players will thrive. Those who enter the dugout with the intent to be in control don't stand a chance of staying in the job once their players egos run wild.