???? Vini-Zoff not the only case: These stars have clashed with their managers

There is currently a lot of tension at Real Madrid. According to consistent media reports, Vinicius Jr. and coach Xabi Alonso are barely getting along, if at all.

After the Real star was once again on the bench during the 2-2 draw against Elche, he is now reportedly even refusing to extend his contract—at least until his relationship with Alonso improves. However, clashes between football stars and their coaches are neither isolated incidents nor new territory.

A look into the past shows: Sometimes, even a shoe flies.

Zlatan vs. Pep

Before we get to flying shoes, let's travel back to 2009. In front of nearly 60,000 spectators, a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic was introduced at Camp Nou. A new star for the Catalans? Only briefly.

???? LLUIS GENE - 2010 AFP

After a strong start, Zlatan repeatedly clashed with coach Pep Guardiola. The conflict peaked after Barcelona's Champions League semi-final defeat against Inter Milan. In front of the entire team, Zlatan shouted at his coach. "You have no guts" and "Go to hell" were thrown at Pep. Just three months later, Zlatan was loaned to Inter and never played for Barcelona again.

Casillas vs. Mourinho

At Real Madrid, a dispute between player and coach even spread to the fans. The Royal supporters called club icon Iker Casillas a mole in the winter of 2012.

After coach José Mourinho benched the goalkeeper on December 22 against Malaga, the world-class keeper revealed the internal disputes to the press. Only when Mourinho left in the summer of 2013 and Casillas recovered from an injury did peace return—and the Spaniard was back in the Real goal after 238 days.

Ronaldo vs. ten Hag

There was also a significant clash between Cristiano Ronaldo and Eric ten Hag. After his return to Manchester United in August 2021, everything initially seemed perfect.

Under frenzied applause, CR7 played at Old Trafford for the first time since 2009 and promptly scored in the 4-1 home victory against Newcastle. However, Ronaldo remained without a title, missed the Champions League qualification, and wanted to leave again by the summer of 2022.

When that didn't work out, he clashed with the club and coach Erik ten Hag. The Red Devils then pulled the emergency brake: The contract with CR7 was terminated in November. Ronaldo later stated in an interview with Piers Morgan that he felt "betrayed" by ten Hag.

Aubameyang vs. Tuchel

Many know Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang as a joyful speedster who likes to do a somersault or put on a Spider-Man mask after scoring a goal. But the Gabonese can also be different.

???? Shaun Botterill - 2016 Getty Images

In the 2017/18 season, Auba clashed with his then club Borussia Dortmund and Thomas Tuchel. He repeatedly skipped training and missed meeting points. His goal? A move to Arsenal FC. Ultimately, the plan worked, and Dortmund let him go in January 2018.

Beckham vs. Ferguson

In 2003, Manchester United's David Beckham also left. What happened between the England star and his coach Sir Alex Ferguson is almost cinematic.

After the FA Cup defeat against Arsenal (0-2), Ferguson kicked a shoe in the locker room. It flew directly towards Beckham, narrowly missing his right eye. Several teammates had to restrain the midfield star from going after his coach.

Previously, player and coach had repeatedly clashed. Ferguson criticized his star's glamorous lifestyle. "The moment a Manchester United player thought he was bigger than the coach, he had to go," he explained years later. Beckham fled to Real Madrid for the new season.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in ???????? here.

???? PATRICK HERTZOG