Exclusive interview with Fernando Morientes: Mbappé should not be questioned and Xabi Alonso would be welcomed at Liverpool
EXCLUSIVE WITH FERNANDO MORIENTES: Mbappé remains key for Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso would be welcomed at Anfield, and Spain can challenge for the 2026 World Cup
In an exclusive interview with BetBrothers, Fernando Morientes says Real Madrid should keep faith in Kylian Mbappé despite a disappointing season, insisting that the best players belong at the biggest clubs unless they decide otherwise.
The former Real Madrid, Liverpool, Valencia and Spain striker also believes Xabi Alonso would be a natural fit at Anfield, says Madrid need a manager with character and authority, and places Spain among the strongest contenders for the 2026 World Cup.
Read the full interview below:
With Salah and Robertson leaving this summer, have Liverpool lost too many leaders?
It is good to rejuvenate the squad and allow new leaders to emerge naturally. There always has to be leadership in the team. Of course, we are talking about the most important players of recent years, but due to the nature of football, they have to move on.
What does Arne Slot have to change at Liverpool to help them challenge for the title?
I have followed the Premier League quite closely. It is true they have not been very consistent. It has been quite irregular. The Liverpool teams that have won the league have always defended very well and then had players who made the difference.
That is what Liverpool need to find again: a team that defends solidly, with defensive leaders, so they can then finish games off with the quality of their attacking players. They have always had very talented attackers and scored lots of goals, but this year they have been very inconsistent defensively and that has hurt them.
Would you like to see Xabi Alonso replace Arne Slot?
Of course I would. I would not say replace anyone, but I would love to see him manage Liverpool. After his difficult experience at Real Madrid, I think he is keen to show what a great coach he is, and he has already shown that. He also has a very special connection with Liverpool from his playing days there.
Liverpool is a club that every year must fight for the Premier League, the Champions League and major trophies. Xabi is a calm, measured coach but with a deep understanding of the game. I think that style is appreciated in England. On top of that, the bond he has with Liverpool is special, and I believe he would be more than welcome there.
Reaction to El Clásico. Is it embarrassing that Real Madrid are 14 points behind Barcelona and have conceded the title with three games to play?
When these things happen at a club like Real Madrid, the season gets labelled as disastrous. People like to put quite alarmist tags on these seasons. I would be a bit more cautious. They are disappointing seasons, there is no doubt about that, but I also think they serve to learn from mistakes. The mistakes have come from all sides.
So for me it is a disappointing season because you reach the end of the campaign with nothing important left to play for. There are no titles at stake, and that only fuels all the rumours around a club as big as Real Madrid. That is never good. You can see in the last few games that the team is not right, they are not sharp, they are not comfortable, they have not found their best version, and that is because there is nothing left to play for.
Was it a poor decision to replace Xabi Alonso with Álvaro Arbeloa? Should Alonso have been given the full season?
To remove the head of the project after three or four months when it had started well means starting everything from scratch again. And it is not easy for things to work out, especially at big clubs. So yes, I think his departure was rushed.
Who would be your first choice as Real manager next season? Is Jose Mourinho the right man to handle the big personalities in the dressing room?
I am not sure he would be my absolute first choice. He is one of the options floating around. Jose Mourinho has already managed Real Madrid and has experience at other clubs. What he brings is experience and character. He is capable of doing it at any team.
Personally, I have never been a big fan of second chances with coaches who have already been at the club. I prefer new options. But right now, what Madrid needs is someone with that profile: personality and character to handle a difficult dressing room.
Not difficult because the players are bad, but because it is Real Madrid and these things always happen. My first choice has always been Raúl because he has a similar profile to what has worked at Real Madrid. Zidane, Del Bosque, Ancelotti, people who know the club well, who understand football and can instil Real Madrid’s values. If Raúl was not available after leaving the academy, then Didier Deschamps would be another option because I know him well.
I am not saying Mourinho is not the right fit. I just do not know him from the inside like I do Raúl or Deschamps. But if it were Mourinho, he does seem to have the right profile for what Madrid needs right now: someone with authority and strong character.
Do you think Jürgen Klopp would be a better candidate than Mourinho?
Jürgen Klopp would be an excellent candidate, but from what I understand he is not willing to change his lifestyle right now. He is very happy and relaxed. So as far as I can see, he is not an option. Obviously, after what he achieved at Liverpool, he is one of the most attractive coaches for any club fighting for major titles. But I do not think it will be Klopp in Madrid.
Should Tchouameni and Valverde have been given a stricter punishment from Real than a €500,000 fine for their altercation?
I think that fine is already harsh enough for something that happened inside the dressing room. Some things happen in public and go unpunished, while others happen privately and receive heavy punishment. This one seems sufficiently severe to me.
I would even call it historic at Real Madrid. I do not think anyone has ever paid that much for an internal training-ground issue. So it is the highest fine they have ever given, and I think it is more than enough.
Sportingly, do you think they should have been punished?
Weakening the team on the pitch would also be shooting themselves in the foot. Sometimes the people making the decisions have to choose whether the punishment should be financial or sporting, suspending both players. I think the financial penalty is more than enough, especially as we are talking about two important players. It also sets an example.
I will also say that I do not think these kinds of stories should come out. These things have always happened in dressing rooms and always will. They should be resolved internally. The problem is when they leak out, and there are always people around who benefit from leaking them. I have lived through similar situations in many dressing rooms. Some came out, some did not. The ones that stayed inside were solved inside, which is where they should be solved. Once they are public, a financial fine is enough unless it is something more serious, in which case sporting sanctions and suspensions may be necessary.
More than 70 million fans have signed a petition for Real Madrid to sell Kylian Mbappé. Are you surprised that Mbappé is being treated so negatively by the fans?
70 million, you said? In an online poll? That is not credible. Not at all. Anyone can click: Barcelona fans, Madrid fans, people who hate Mbappé. It is all part of the circus around football. A player like Mbappé who has scored nearly 50 goals? There is no debate. With Mbappé there is no debate.
The debate should be footballing: whether Vinicius fits better with Mbappé on the left or right, whether Bellingham should play closer or further away. I could debate those things all day. But social media polls have zero credibility.
Does Real Madrid need to build a team around Mbappé or should they sell him to invest more broadly in the squad?
If they had won the league or the Champions League, those 40-plus goals from Mbappé would have been more than enough to show his quality. I think it has been a fantastic individual season for him. But when a club like Real Madrid wins nothing, debates always start. The team should be built around great players, and Real Madrid spent a long time chasing Mbappé to now put him under scrutiny.
Do you put big egos down as Real’s biggest problem?
I think it is a problem at all big clubs. I follow the big teams. Liverpool had issues with Salah. Barcelona do not have problems now because they are winning the league. Atlético have had issues between the coach and certain players.
Players at Real Madrid have big egos, that is true, but that is why you choose a coach who can channel those egos in the right sporting direction. When things are not going well at Real Madrid, everything becomes a problem: the egos, the big players, the coach, the decisions. That is normal. That is why at the end of the season there is so much debate about what needs to change. Next season they just need a clear project, the right coach, and patience. Real Madrid has more than enough talent to achieve its objectives, but when results do not come, the problems begin.
Should Real think about selling Vinicius Jr? Would he be a great fit at Liverpool if he did leave?
No. I only see the club selling big players like Mbappé, Vinicius or Bellingham if they themselves do not want to be at Real Madrid anymore. For example, if Vinicius is making unrealistic contract demands right now, he might be pushing to leave.
In the last ten years Madrid have let some great players go. I think the attack is actually very well built. They have other problems that need more attention. They lost Modric, Kroos and Casemiro, the architects of the recent Champions Leagues, and the midfield has not been properly reinforced. There have also been problems at centre-back. I would focus more on the real issues rather than the good things.
Mbappé, Vinicius, Rodrygo, these are top-level players.
I think Vinicius would fit well at any team. He is a great player who decides matches and, above all, has something very rare today: he creates imbalance. That is the talent most teams miss. His natural ability to take players on and head towards goal would be very welcome anywhere, including Liverpool. I am convinced of that.
What have you made of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s first season at Real Madrid? Has the criticism been fair?
It has been difficult. I have seen several English players come to Real Madrid who did not fully settle in their first season. It has been an irregular season for him. A lot was expected of him from the start.
Some players adapt quickly, others need a second or third season. I do not think he has fully adapted yet or shown his best version. Not just because of him, but also because of the team as a whole. When the team does not achieve its objectives, individual players find it harder to shine. He is very talented, but he still needs to reach his top level.
Does Jude Bellingham need to do more at Real Madrid?
Yes, I think so. This season he had the bad luck of a longer-than-normal injury and that held him back all year. But Bellingham can definitely give more. Not necessarily at the spectacular level of his first season, but he needs to contribute more in terms of goals and support the forwards.
This season, all the players need to improve. The big players like Bellingham, who arrive in the box, score goals and are central to the attack, have not been at their best. Next season they will ask him for one more level, especially in terms of goals and assists.
If Real Madrid have another poor season next year, do you think this could be the end of Florentino Perez’s reign as president?
That is a good question. I do not think another bad season is in the plans, but if it happened it would be very tough for Real Madrid and for the presidency. In his first spell as president, something similar happened. There were a couple of bad seasons and he himself decided to step down.
It is all hypothetical, and I would not say it is probable, because after two blank seasons I think Madrid will strengthen well and build a competitive team to fight for the big titles. But yes, it could take its toll at any level, especially the presidential one.
Should Barcelona do everything they can to sign Marcus Rashford permanently?
When Raphinha was missing, Rashford started and performed at a good level. He has pace and imbalance. If I were Barcelona I would go for him, especially because he has already adapted, he has shown his quality, and finding a player in that price range who can make an immediate impact is not easy. So I would not have a problem investing that money in him rather than someone else.
Can you see Cesc Fàbregas managing Barcelona after Hansi Flick?
After Hansi Flick, maybe, because right now Flick is untouchable. At Barcelona I see possibilities for Cesc, for Arteta, and for other coaches with a strong link to the club. Cesc has done what many ex-players do: he went to a smaller club, built his own project, and has done well.
He has shown personality and that he is a good coach with plenty of experience. When people say he lacks experience, a player who played 20 years at the highest level has more experience than many coaches. Yes, it would not be strange to see him at Barça in the future. But after Flick, they do not need to change right now.
Do you think Cesc Fabregas would prefer the Barcelona job over Arsenal or Chelsea?
Good question. He has a very special bond with Arsenal especially. But Barça, having come through La Masia, might be more attractive. Economic offer and decision-making power in transfers also matter. When a coach has no pressure, he can choose carefully: how much control he will have, whether he will have more power than the president, etc. If I had to pick one of the three for him, I think he would prefer Barça.
How would you rate Valencia’s season? Do you think they still have a strong chance of playing in Europe next season?
A lot of people call it a disastrous season. I do not think it is disastrous because the club does not invest in big players to fight for higher goals. They cannot really compete for the Champions League. There are better teams. It is not the players’ fault or the fans’, it is about investment and what the club is building.
Valencia has been going backwards for years. The only problem is that the club is playing with fire, and when you play with fire you can get burned. Fortunately it has not happened yet, but they need to be very careful.
Can Rayo Vallecano upset Crystal Palace in the Europa Conference League final? What is your prediction for the game?
I think it is possible. Anything can happen. I do not know who the favourites are or who is in better form. What I do know is that for Rayo this is the match of their lives. When you play the match of your life, you get the best version of yourselves: maximum concentration and motivation. Rayo have had an irregular season. They are not built to win the Champions League or La Liga, but they have always competed well and that can help them in the final. Nerves can play tricks, but I think they are capable and in a one-off 90-minute game, anything can happen.
Is it sad to see your old team Real Zaragoza falling down in a relegation fight in Segunda? What needs to change to see them back in LaLiga?
I do not know if they will stay up or not, but it is a real shame. Zaragoza has always been one of the big clubs in Spanish football. Seeing them in Segunda for so many years is already hard. Imagine them dropping even further. Now that the city is building a new stadium, it is a clear example to other clubs of how not to do things at institutional level.
Will Barcelona be looking at Mikel Arteta as a future manager given what he is doing at Arsenal currently? Would it be a risk for Arteta to leave Arsenal?
I do not know if he would consider leaving Arsenal right now. If he wins the Champions League, many coaches reach a peak and then look for new challenges. But Arteta is very closely linked to Arsenal: the club, the city, the fans.
He is like Simeone at Atlético: a coach with character, personality and great experience who has done very well. He has a historic opportunity to win the Premier League and Champions League with Arsenal. I think he values where he is and how well he is treated.
Arsenal have been linked with Mbappé. Could he take this Arsenal team to a different level?
Arsenal linked with Mbappé? This is the first I have heard of it. I would not like it. After everything that happened, Madrid waiting, Mbappé waiting at PSG, to leave after one bad season would not seem right to me. That said, Mbappé would score goals at any team. For me he is currently the best player in the world from midfield forward. A player who can score 40-50 goals can perform anywhere.
Do Real Madrid need to do all they can to sign Rodri in the summer? Would Rodri leave Man City for Real?
I have always said they need to look for players in that position: players who can control the tempo, occupy space and bring talent. Since Kroos and Modric left, the team has missed a leader in midfield. Rodri fits that profile perfectly. After his serious injury he has recovered well and is getting back to his best.
Would he leave City? At this stage of his career, after winning everything and winning the Ballon d’Or, I think a new challenge at a club like Real Madrid would appeal to him. I am convinced he would be open to it.
Barcelona have been linked with Joao Pedro. Should he leave Chelsea this summer given where the club are at the moment?
Would Enzo Fernandez improve Real Madrid? It sounds like he is also eyeing a move away from Stamford Bridge.
Yes, I think any good midfielder would improve Real Madrid right now. He already speaks the language, has experience at big clubs, and is a piece I think they are missing. I particularly like him.
Should Xabi Alonso reject any approaches from Chelsea this summer if the Liverpool job could be available soon?
That is very personal. If he wants to coach, Liverpool do not call him but Chelsea do, Chelsea is still a huge club in a great city. When you are starting out you cannot always follow your heart. If he had both options, I imagine he would prefer Liverpool. But if only Chelsea come in and he wants to coach, it would be a very good move.
Unai Emery has been linked with the Real Madrid job. Would he be the right candidate for the job?
That counts against him a bit. He has shown he is excellent at clubs just below that level (Sevilla, Villarreal). He is a great profile for those teams, but given his European reputation, a chance at another big club would not be crazy either. But yes, his record at the very top penalises him a little.
Do you think Andoni Iraola is a better option for Man United than giving Michael Carrick the permanent job?
Michael Carrick knows the club, the city and the team. But I will lean towards the Spanish option. Iraola did very well at Rayo and has impressed in the Premier League. He is a football strategist. In big teams like Manchester United you sometimes need to free up individual talent rather than over-structure everything tactically.
Iraola is an excellent coach with a huge future. I would love to see a big club that is struggling give him the chance to prove himself at that level.
Spain’s chances at the World Cup. Are they favourites to go all the way?
I would not say favourites, but they are among the teams with the best chance of winning it. A World Cup is very complicated, but at the start of every tournament the big nations are always considered favourites.
France for individual quality, Spain because they have been performing well and have won recent trophies, England with their great players, Germany, Argentina. Spain are definitely in that top group. People respect the Spanish team for how they play and what they can do.
If Spain wins the World Cup, do you think Lamine Yamal would be in the running to win the Ballon d’Or over the likes of Harry Kane and Declan Rice?
There are many factors in the Ballon d’Or: club performance, the Champions League, and the national team. Yamal has been differential even if it has not been his best club season. If he wins the World Cup and plays a decisive role, he would clearly be one of the favourites. Even without winning it, he has a chance to be among the top names.
Where would you like to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after the World Cup? Is there any chance we could see either of them in LaLiga?
After the World Cup? Wherever they want. Seeing them back in La Liga would be wonderful. Maybe Messi at Barça or Girona, Cristiano at Rayo or somewhere. It is difficult at their age, but it would depend on them. They will choose where they are happy and comfortable.
