Xabi, hired from Bayer Leverkusen over the summer, was dismissed by Real Madrid on Monday.
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Commenting on the situation, Valdano said: "I saw him unstable from day one; he never felt the club's support.
The Argentine says a telling sign came during Florentino Pérez's Christmas speech, in which the president never mentioned the coach by name.
Valdano also stated the departure of Luka Modric for AC Milan hurt Xabi this season.
He added, "He had to contend with numerous injuries, and the team lacks a strategist on the pitch.
"When a team loses their midfield general, they also lose on-field leadership."