The mood at the Estadio Bernabeu was sky-high when Xabi Alonso was announced as Real Madrid's new manager last summer. Fresh off a successful reign at Bayer Leverkusen where he led the side to the Bundesliga title for the first time in their history.
Alonso was expected to build a new team and take Los Blancos into a new direction following Carlo Ancelotti's departure. We were meant to see hints of his vision for the club in last summer's transfer window.
But Madrid seemingly went against one of his demands that raises question marks over the alignment between the board and the manager. He parted ways on Monday after a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final and the fallout has highlighted massive problems at the Bernabeu.
Alonso wanted Arsenal star
Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dean Huijsen, Alvaro Carreras and Franco Mastantuono all signed for Madrid last summer. But Alonso had wanted the club to move for a playmaker and pushed for the club to beat Arsenal to the signing of Martin Zubimendi.
Marca reports that Alonso had proposed swooping for Real Sociedad's Zubimendi but this request was rejected by the management. The transfer chiefs preferred to invest in Mastantuono, a bright upcoming talent but not ready for a starting role in the senior team.
Madrid are expected to be in the market for a new creative midfielder in the summer which suggests they acknowledge a player of this profile was needed. Zubimendi instead joined Arsenal in a €65 million deal and has been an important player for Mikel Arteta.
Zubimendi, 26, has appeared 27 times across competitions, registering three goals and as many assists. He's formed an excellent midfield partnership with Declan Rice, helping the Gunners take charge of the Premier League title race.
Which midfielders are Madrid looking at?
Alonso might not be in charge anymore but Madrid's recruitment staff are eyeing a new midfielder for the summer. One of those is Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton who is one of England's most highly-rated young talents and has been crucial for the Eagles, especially in last season's FA Cup win.
AZ Alkmaar's Kees Smit is also on Los Blancos' radar but negotiations for the Dutch teenager will be handled by Jorge Mendes. He is a prospect who is at a similar stage of his career as Mastantuono, needing to still develop further and perhaps not a guaranteed starter.
Alonso wasn't without his flaws but clearly didn't feel the support of the board during a seventh-month reign full of problems. These issues arrived pretty much the day he walked through the door.