Midweek Warm-up: Fickle football claims another victim with Xabi Alonso's sacking at Real Madrid; Where does Tom Bischof fit at Bayern Munich; Bundesliga predictions; and MORE!

""I was very surprised. Xabi is an exceptionally good coach. He did outstanding work in Leverkusen. I don't have insight into everything that's happening at Madrid, and it's not my place to judge. But it is a bit crazy, in such a short time. The football business is sometimes very fast-paced," Freund said (as captured by @iMiaSanMia)."

""For all of his football intelligence, Carlo Ancelotti is not exactly a demanding guy when it comes to training. Alonso's bigger focus on fitness was rumored to create an issue with some members of the squad, who preferred a more "hands off" approach from the coach. For Alonso, who does have a hard-edge, this was a bad fit. Rumors of players being unhappy with Alonso's focus on running ( gasp!) and fitness circulated almost immediately after he took over.""

Xabi Alonso was dismissed as Real Madrid head coach after a 3-2 defeat by FC Barcelona. He previously achieved notable success managing Bayer Leverkusen. Bayern Munich reportedly considered hiring him before appointing Vincent Kompany. A strained locker room followed Carlo Ancelotti's era and friction emerged over Alonso's greater emphasis on fitness and running. Some squad members preferred a more hands-off coaching approach, making Alonso's harder edge a poor fit. Alonso attempted to assert control and encountered resistance from established stars. Club executives and pundits expressed surprise at his rapid exit.

Read at Bavarian Football Works