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New Delhi: Xabi Alonso regrets that his stint at Real Madrid coach ended only after seven months into a three-year contract but remains thankful of the opportunity to be at the helm of the Spanish powerhouse club.
Alonso left Real by mutual agreement after their 3-2 defeat to traditional rivals FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah on Sunday.
During his brief stint, Real Madrid slumped to a series of humbling defeats against big European rivals as Alonso reportedly clashed with senior players of their squad.
The Spaniard came to Madrid after enjoying success in Germany where he guided Bayer Leverkusen to a first Bundesliga title without losing a game apart from lifting the German Cup and taking them to the final of Europa League.
But he was unable to replicate that success in Madrid and was under pressure once his team lost to Barca.
"This stage of my career has come to an end, and it has not turned out as we would have liked. Coaching Real Madrid has been an honour and a responsibility," Alonso wrote on Instagram on Tuesday.
"I am grateful to the club, the players and, above all, the fans... I leave with respect, gratitude and pride in having done my best."
Alonso's tenure was marred by internal discord, as reports emerged of clashes with senior players, including Federico Valverde and Vinicius Jr.
The 44-year-old wanted his Real squad to give a guard of honour to Barca after their Spanish Super Cup win but Kylian Mbappe-led players turned him down.
This season, Real have lost to Paris St Germain in the Club World Cup, to Atletico Madrid in La Liga, and to Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League.
The former midlfielder initially built a five-point lead for Barca at the top of the La Liga standings, but a series of poor results in November and December, including only one win in five league matches, saw defending champions Barca move ahead by four points.
Real's next match under interim maanager Alvarao Arbeloa is an away match against Albacete in Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
