Xabi Alonso adds a new member to his staff, but it’s not a player. Mexican Óscar Michel has been brought in as the new video analyst for Real Madrid’s first team, according to journalist Rodra on ESPN. This addition is part of the Tolosa native’s initiative to strengthen the Madrid coaching staff with a greater focus on tactical analysis for next season.
Óscar Michel already knows the club, having arrived at Valdebebas in 2019. In recent seasons, the Mexican worked with the women’s first team as an analyst. According to ESPN, the plan for him was to continue with the women’s team or even move to the Juvenil A team. However, a call from Xabi Alonso changed everything. He was the one who decided to include him in the first team’s staff, trusting in his experience to enhance the tactical work.
Xabi Alonso’s new methods
Xabi Alonso is revolutionizing Real Madrid. Not only in the way they play, but also in the way they prepare for matches. This was evident during the Club World Cup. In several training sessions in Palm Beach, the Tolosa native even used drones. Thanks to this technology, the coach and his staff get a broader and more detailed perspective of the tactical positioning of their players. It is a useful tool that closely monitors the physical performance of the players, allowing them to perfect every aspect of the game.
🚨 Drones recording Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid training sessions. @MarioCortegana pic.twitter.com/7KjGnQ0mff
— Madrid Zone (@theMadridZone) June 25, 2025
Xabi Alonso is very demanding of his players. The sessions are longer, more intense, more tactical. Exemplary rigor. His trademark. In addition, the Basque coach is also involved in training. In numerous videos published by Real Madrid itself, Xabi can be seen as just another player on the pitch. He comes to help, he comes to win. And to do that, every detail is taken care of and nothing is left to chance. If he has to go out on the pitch to demonstrate an idea as it has been conceived, he will do so.
The third training session in FULL VERSION with XABI ALONSO participating in all the exercises as just another player.
MAXIMUM EXCITEMENT 😍😍🤍 pic.twitter.com/Tc0v9q0CkY
— REAL MADRID FANS 🤍 (@AdriRM33) June 11, 2025
With a trusted coaching staff
At the helm of this project is a well-established and trusted coaching staff. Practically all of the members have accompanied Xabi Alonso throughout his ‘short’ career. In total, there are six members. Sebastián (or ‘Sebas’) Parrilla, assistant coach and Xabi’s right-hand man, has accompanied the coach since his beginnings in Real Madrid’s youth teams. The Argentine is in charge of tactical and defensive preparation. He has also been key in previous stages of the former footballer’s career, such as at Real Sociedad’s reserve team and Bayer Leverkusen, where they won the German club’s first Bundesliga title together.
Physical preparation is led by Ismael Camenforte-López. He was physical trainer for Barcelona B, New York City FC, and the Danish national team. He has been with Xabi since he arrived in Leverkusen. Alberto Encinas, assistant coach from Bayer Leverkusen, brings experience in working methodology and support in preparation. Beñat Labaien, tactical and video analyst, will be Óscar Michel’s partner. He had already been at Valdebebas between 2011 and 2014, after a spell in Atlético Madrid’s youth academy.
Meanwhile, Luis Llopis remains goalkeeping coach, while Antonio Pintus takes on the role of performance manager. Under Carlo Ancelotti, the Italian was in charge of the entire first-team players’ preparation. Now, with Xabi’s arrival, his role has changed, but he remains just as important for the Madridistas.