Real Madrid has appointed fitness coach Antonio Pintus to a central role in the first team’s physical training following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso as head coach. The club announced Alonso’s departure on Monday, confirming it was a decision made by “mutual agreement” after his seven-month tenure. Álvaro Arbeloa, a former teammate of Alonso’s at Madrid and Liverpool, has been named his successor.
Pintus, who previously served as a physical trainer under notable coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, took a step back when Alonso brought in his own staff, including fitness coach Ismael Camenforte, who had worked with him at Bayer Leverkusen. Despite becoming ‘performance manager’ and rejecting outside offers, Pintus had not participated in training sessions or matches under Alonso. His visible absence during games, where he donned a suit instead of the usual tracksuit, indicated a diminished role in the team’s day-to-day operations.
As injuries plagued the squad, Real Madrid President Florentino Pérez expressed his growing concern and desire for Pintus to return to a more prominent position. With injuries mounting, Pérez elevated the role of doctor Niko Mihic in early January, following a series of setbacks that had led to internal tensions.
Pérez’s Confidence in Pintus
The board’s worries about the team’s physical condition have persisted for some time. Reports indicated that during a critical December match against Manchester City, seven players were sidelined due to injuries, and star player Kylian Mbappé was unable to play despite being on the bench. The combination of a busy match schedule and various other factors have complicated the team’s fitness management, prompting concerns about the ongoing injury crisis.
A source close to the training ground shared with The Athletic last year, “Florentino really thinks that Pintus is the secret to winning the Champions League.” This sentiment underscores the club’s belief in Pintus’s methods, as he previously returned as physical trainer during Ancelotti’s second stint in charge due to a personal call from Pérez.
With Álvaro Arbeloa now at the helm, it remains to be seen how Pintus’s re-emergence will influence the club’s performance. Arbeloa arrives with a skilled and diverse support staff from the Castilla team, which may provide a fresh perspective on addressing the physical challenges faced by the first team.
Real Madrid’s leadership is keen to mitigate the spate of injuries that have hindered the team, and Pintus’s return could signal a shift in approach as the club navigates this new chapter. The decision reflects a strong commitment to restoring physical readiness and capitalizing on Pintus’s expertise in the pursuit of success in the current season and beyond.
