Real Madrid has promoted fitness coach Antonio Pintus to a central role in the physical training of the first team following the recent dismissal of Xabi Alonso. The club confirmed Alonso’s exit after a seven-month tenure on January 8, 2024, citing a “mutual agreement.” He will be succeeded by Alvaro Arbeloa, who previously managed the club’s reserve team, Castilla.
Pintus, who had previously served under coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane, saw his influence wane after Alonso’s arrival in May 2023. The Basque coach brought in his own staff, including fitness coach Ismael Camenforte, which led to Pintus being reassigned as ‘performance manager.’ Despite initial speculation regarding his potential departure from the club, Pintus remained, though his involvement in day-to-day training diminished significantly.
During Alonso’s tenure, Pintus was often seen in formal attire rather than the traditional tracksuit, indicating his reduced role. His absence during many away matches further highlighted this shift. Despite these changes, club president Florentino Perez maintained his confidence in Pintus. As injuries began to accumulate within the squad, Perez recognized the need for Pintus’s expertise to address ongoing physical concerns.
With the calendar year nearing its end and injury reports escalating, Perez took action to enhance the team’s physical management. In early January, he elevated Niko Mihic to a more significant role within the medical team. Mihic had previously been sidelined following a series of injury crises that raised internal tensions at the club.
This decision has been described as “very presidential,” reflecting Perez’s belief in Pintus’s capabilities. A training-ground source previously mentioned to The Athletic that the president views Pintus as pivotal to the club’s ambitions, stating, “Florentino really thinks that Pintus is the secret to winning the Champions League.”
The urgency for change became apparent as Real Madrid faced challenges leading up to their match against Manchester City in December 2023. The team was without seven players due to injuries, and Kylian Mbappe was unable to participate despite being on the bench. The board’s concerns over the team’s physical condition have been mounting, particularly when Mihic and Pintus had more prominent roles.
As Real Madrid enters this new era under Arbeloa, the club is eager to rectify the ongoing injury issues that have plagued the squad. Pintus’s return to a key position reflects the club’s commitment to enhancing player fitness and overall performance, aiming to restore competitive strength in domestic and European competitions.
