Defeats were listed: Paris St-Germain in the Club World Cup semi-final, Atletico Madrid in La Liga (5-2), among others. And yet Real Madrid are in the top eight in the Champions League league phase, the competition that defines them. Beginning a managerial career at Real Madrid is the hardest challenge in football. Real Madrid, once again, are viewed as outliers - a club that operates differently, restricts its manager, and even quietly prepares the ground for a dismissal months before it happens, aided by loyal media. If, by one of football's familiar contradictions, Real Madrid end up lifting silverware, we will reach the same conclusion we always do.

Source: BBC January 13, 2026 08:02 UTC