Real Madrid: Did the Club Make a Monumental Mistake with Pintus?

Recent alarming results have triggered internal tensions at Real Madrid, raising a critical question: Was the decision to part ways with Antonio Pintus a monumental error? This topic, once confined to the halls of the Santiago Bernabéu, has burst into the public arena following explosive revelations from Eduardo Inda on El Chiringuito. The director of OkDiario, known for his exclusive insights into Madrid affairs, has reported that the club’s management is now openly questioning the rationale behind removing Pintus from his role as head of physical preparation.

As detailed by Diario Madridista, several high-ranking officials within the club are expressing deep frustration over the current physical decline of the team. Inda highlighted that the two days off granted after the match against Athletic Club caused a significant uproar internally. His remarks suggest that such a decision is incomprehensible given the alarming physical state exhibited by players in recent weeks. The sentiment is clear: Real Madrid is baffled as to why Pintus, often hailed as the mastermind behind the successes of both Zinedine Zidane and Carlo Ancelotti, was sidelined in favor of a new training model introduced by Xabi Alonso‘s staff.

Concerns Over Physical Preparation

Inda emphasized that there is a serious concern regarding the team’s physical conditioning. He noted that the demotion of Pintus to a mere performance manager role represents a significant downgrade, especially considering his extensive experience and historical importance during the club’s European triumphs. Influential voices within the Casa Blanca are now insisting that if they have “the best physical trainer in the world,” he should be working directly with the first team—period.

Xabi Alonso’s Influence

This upheaval can be traced back to Xabi Alonso’s arrival last summer. According to Diario Madridista, the new head coach has brought in his own technical staff, including a personal fitness coach. This move has effectively pushed Pintus into the background, leaving him out of discussions regarding training loads and methodologies—a sidelining that many within the club now deem catastrophic. Alarm bells have been ringing for weeks: recurring muscle injuries, a noticeable drop in intensity during late-match phases, and an inability to sustain performance over 90 minutes are all contributing factors to rising discontent directed at Alonso and his coaching team.

The club believes that this season’s methods fail to uphold the legendary physical robustness that characterized Real Madrid during periods overseen by Italian coaches. As per insider reports, management is increasingly convinced that removing Pintus from his pivotal role was a serious strategic misstep. While he remains at the club, his influence over actual team preparation has dwindled to nearly nothing—an astonishing development given his impressive résumé and European accolades. The tension between management and Alonso’s staff has reached a boiling point, prompting speculation that organizational changes could be imminent if improvements are not seen in the coming weeks. This situation has become increasingly urgent as Real Madrid faces a crucial stretch of their season with their physical condition in disarray.