Bellingham blasts reports of strained Alonso relationship: 'What a load of s**t'

Martin Macdonald

Updated: 14 Jan 2026 06:23 CST
2 min read

Jude Bellingham has reacted fiercely to claims that he did not support Xabi Alonso in his role as Real Madrid manager.

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Alonso was sacked as Madrid boss after losing the Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. Though performances on the field this season have been steady if not spectacular, it is reportedly behind-the-scenes issues that led to his dismissal.

The Spaniard's training methods and tactics were said to have irritated certain Galacticos, most notably Vinicius Junior and Federico Valverde.

The Vini Jr situation has dogged the club all season, with the Brazilian feeling undervalued during Alonso’s stint in charge and doing little to change the coach’s opinion with a disappointing run of form. With his contract set to expire in 2027, he continues to be linked with a big money move to the Saudi Pro League.

Valverde, meanwhile, was unhappy at being deployed at right-back due to the injuries to Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Athletic published a piece confirming the players who believed in Alonso and those who didn't.

Believed: Kylian Mbappe, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni, Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio

Didn't believe: Federico Valverde, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior

Bellingham hits back at ‘non-believer’ claim

Bellingham took umbrage to this assessment of the situation, and responded on social media:

"Until now I’ve let far too many of these slide, always hoping the truth will come to light in its own time. But honestly... What a load of s**t.

"Truly feel sorry for the people that hang onto the every word of these clowns and their 'sources'.

"Do not believe everything you read, every now and then these lot need to be held accountable for spreading this kind of damaging misinformation for clicks and added controversy."

Alonso's warning to Real Madrid

Radio Cadena SER journalist Anton Meana outlined warning a warning Alonso gave to Real Madrid over the immense player power at the Bernabeu:

"After their return from Saudi Arabia, they return home with a defeat and the feeling of having played well, but also of having failed. (...) At this last meeting, during which he was fired, he made it clear to the club that he could not give so much power to the players, which he considers the main problem of his time at Real Madrid.

"The coach believes that he was left unprotected and is surprised by the club's permanent defence of the locker room. As he was accused of not controlling the locker room, he believes that it is impossible to dominate a locker room when the club is always on the side of the players and not on that of the coach, even when he is right in his sports decisions.

"What Xabi's relatives say is that he left at Christmas thinking that he could continue, that the situation could improve, that he had seen a series of encouraging signs during the last week of December, which hinted at a second part of the season where he could fight for the titles."

Alvaro Arbeloa has been put in charge of Real Madrid.