7 hours ago
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Real Madrid's sulphurous civil war over the appointment of new head coach Xabi Alonso continues to roll on, with the list of players who have taken against the former Bayer Leverkusen boss only growing.
As per reports in Spain, high-profile members of the squad are split into camps of who supports the former Liverpool and Los Blancos star, and who would prefer to see him leave the Bernabeu.
Despite sitting at the top of LaLiga - one point ahead of Barcelona - the Spanish giants recorded their third match without a win as they drew 2-2 against Elche on Sunday evening.
Real Madrid have not won home or away since the start of a month that has been studded with reports about some players' unhappiness with Alonso's training methods and his tactics.
Alonso is believed to have a more hands-on approach than successful Madrid man-managers like Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, with strict rules to weed out 'bad habits' and the assertion that players have to fight for their place in the first XI every time they train.
As per Mundo Deportivo, those have not taken to the arrival of Alonso in the Spanish capital include Vinicius Jr, Fede Valverde, Brahim Diaz, Rodrygo, Endrick, and Ferland Mendy.
Xabi Alonso is in the midst of a civil war during his first few months as Real Madrid manager
His most high-profile detractor is Vinicius Jr - who was one of former head coach Carlo Ancelotti's biggest stars
Valverde has been frequently played out of position under the new manager, at times slotting into right back over the injured Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold as he returns to full-fitness, while Diaz and Rodrygo has been played selectively and largely from the bench.
Brazilian teenager Endrick has failed to feature in all but one fixture this season, after struggling to make an impression on his new manager.
But Vinicius Jr is remains Alonso's most notable detractor, with the Brazil international letting his feelings be known as he was substituted during El Clasico last month.
The forward angrily shouted 'I'm going to leave this team' as he stormed off the pitch without acknowledging his manager, and he acted similarly when he offered a public apology by failing to name Alonso in the social media message.
This week reports emerged that Vinicius Jr is not considering extending his current contract - which runs until the summer of 2027 - under current circumstances.
The root of the strained relations between the two men are believed to have taken hold as far back as this summer's Club World Cup, when Vinicius was forced to play on the right wing during the side's 4-0 defeat to Real Madrid following an injury to Alexander-Arnold.
Vinicius Jr currently earns around €18 million (£15.8m) net per year under the contract he signed in 2022, which includes a €1bn release clause.
Madrid reportedly offered an extension worth around €20m (£17.6m) net per season earlier this year.
The Brazil international vented his spleen as he was substituted off during the first El Clasico
Kylian Mbappe however is thought to remain sympathetic to Alonso, backing his manager
His representatives instead requested a package close to €30m (£26.4m) per season, including salary, bonuses and a renewal fee not previously issued by the club.
Vinicius Jr maintains a close relationship with club president Florentino Perez, and he is believed to have discussed his position over extending with him in October.
There are however those who are loyal to Alonso within the set-up, including a number of senior figures.
They include summer signings Dean Huijsen and Alvaro Carreras, young Turkish talent Arda Guler, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, and Kylian Mbappe.
Real Madrid will have a chance to escape league form and get back to winning ways on Wednesday evening.
The Spanish club is set to travel to face Olympiacos in a bid to shore up their position in the automatic qualification places in the standings.
