Thierry Henry Leaves CBS Panel in Awe With Xabi Alonso And Real Madrid Analysis

Thierry Henry left both the CBS Sports panel and viewers in awe after an fascinating insight into Xabi Alonso's issues at Real Madrid.

Alonso only took the job at the Santiago Bernabeu in May when he replaced Carlo Ancelotti but is already under huge pressure.

The former Real midfielder saw his side lost 2-1 to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday night, having taken the lead through Rodrygo Goes.

Nico O'Reilly levelled matters before Erling Haaland scored the winner from the penalty spot after a clumsy foul from Antonio Rudiger.

Despite still sitting in the top eight in the Champions League and only four points behind Barcelona in La Liga, there is constant noise indicating that Alonso could be at risk of being sacked following back-to-back losses at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Reports have suggested that the players have not bought into the Spaniard's way of working and the demands he places on them.

Speaking on CBS, Henry gave excellent insight into the situation and explained how the Real job is an extremely unique one where the players get all the power.

"The other day we had Gareth Bale talking about at Real Madrid you manage a team," the former Arsenal and Barcelona man said.

"Now you have a guy there, when you obviously talk about Xabi Alonso, who is coaching - maybe a little bit too much for some people and not managing enough. That is the situation.

"We've seen it when [Maurizio] Sarri went to Juve, some players were complaining that he thought he was still at Napoli coaching a team.

"At Juve players were saying you have to manage the group a bit more. I don't personally agree with it but that's the way it is.

"Gareth Bale was sitting here the other day and was telling us that at Madrid, what you have to do is manage. I feel sorry for Xabi Alonso because you see what he did with Leverkusen when he was able to coach a team that was willing to listen to what he wanted to do, it's a different ball game."

When Micah Richards mentioned that being a coach and a manager is not the same, Henry added: "It's not. You have guys that will just let the players be players - managing what you need to manage. In teams like that you're not going to tell... I won't same names... to come and have breakfast at eight in the morning because you want to do it and talk about tactics at eight in the morning.

"The main goal is to be successful and not lose players along the way because you're going to lose the battle.

"It is different [at Real]. At Barcelona they create coaches, so they have a style of play that you need to respect and it's accepted via the core of the club and the fans. If you don't match that, you're not going there.

"Same at Madrid. It's a different approach, the president has said it's ninety per cent players and ten per cent coach. You need to understand to let them drive the car."

Real, who have an extensive injury list at the time of writing, return to action on Sunday when they travel to Alaves in La Liga.