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Jarod Hector

@jarodhector.bsky.social

3.2K followers 132 following 785 posts

PR & Comms Pro | Voice Actor. www.jarodhectorvo.com | NBA Podcaster, Content Creator, Executive Producer for the award-winning TrueHoop bit.ly/3PW1OKl | Podcaster & Content Creator for The Real Deal Pod covering Real Madrid Fútbol bit.ly/3Yon6Es

Posts Replies Media

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 22/08/2026

First match of a new season for Real Madrid and the starting XI already reveals the reality of coaching this club, regardless of who the actual coach is. Sid and I will discuss on The Real Deal after the final whistle. Make sure you’re following, subscribed and locked in. ¡Hala Madrid!

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Soem thoughts on player development at Real Madrid. Make sure you're subscribed to Real Deal Podcast. Link in bio 👆🏿 x.com/jshector/sta...

Jarod Hector (@jshector) on X

Player Development at Madrid

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Results are bad, and the process is bad. The culture is rotten to the core. Sacking managers is a bandaid on a reservoir. This evergreen episode over the firing of Xabi is essential listening. Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: bit.ly/4a802Py Spotify: bit.ly/4kfQaIc YouTube: youtube.com/live/K3Al0cu...

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 26/01/2026

Good stuff from my guy TrueHoop. The Bucks held onto Giannis too long and will now get less than what they could've 2-3 years ago. And the reuild will last longer. Most teams don't have the appetite or vision to make hard move sooner rather than later. www.truehoop.com/p/has-gianni...

Has Giannis played his last game as a Buck?

Reading the signals

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Going live now with Taalib to talk Madrid's 2-0 win over Villarreal. NOW!!!! 👇🏿 youtube.com/live/0P8gYXC...

Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid Postgame Reaction

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Who had Real Madrid morphing into Manchester United on their Bingo card? This club is so unserious and headed towards a dark period...

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 11/01/2026

Real Madrid played as well as possible considering lack of midfield. Managed to control the dynamics of the game for stretches, despite so many flaws. Fede injury key. Still, a good effort from the team. LIVE NOW with Sid. Tap in 👇🏿 www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqY-...

Barcelona v Real Madrid Postgame Reaction

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

LIVE NOW!!!! www.youtube.com/live/p2njBER...

Alaves 1-2 Real Madrid Postgame Reaction

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

LIVE NOW!!!! www.youtube.com/live/hH6OB8a...

Real Madrid v Manchester City Postgame Reaction

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

"Alonso arrived at Real in the summer offering a modern approach but the club has to accept that this step is necessary. And it still resists. President Florentino Perez has never fully believed in this kind of change." Good stuff from Guillem. www.bbc.com/sport/footba...

Xabi Alonso: Why chances of survival at Real Madrid are slim

Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid fate has not yet been decided, but Wednesday's Champions League game against Manchester City at the Bernabeu could prove crucial, writes Guillem Balague.

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

Latest episode of The Real Deal where Sid and I breakdown the disaster that is Real Madrid right now. Tactics and matching profiles aside, what if the team just gave a **** when they took the pitch? Full episode 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/4pB2wfy Spotify: bit.ly/4s16gcf YouTube: bit.ly/3MLjvNK

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Right now all of these siloed and disparate groups are pulling in different directions. If this club is to have any success that needs to change. What say you Madridistas? Where are you at with everything right now? I might post a video later, depending on responses.

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

There are clearly some players that are not aligned with the coaching staff and vice versa. The board has been obsessed with superstar names for far too long and has assembled an expensive, very talented, but ill fitting squad.

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Madrid is still at the top of the table in La Liga and top 8 of the CL table. But this team has clearly shown signs of regression on the pitch and the technical area.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

All these silos that in theory want the same thing (wins), but are actually disparate and also concerned with self preservation, money and power. If wins come, great. But it truly isn't the #1 priority for everyone in these silos.

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Sports clubs are strange ecosystems. You have coaches, players, player and coach representation, operations, business, etc.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

With both parties following through on their commitments and being open to receive critique when they fail in that regard. This is how trust is established.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

This goes back to trust. Yes, the coach must earn it from players. But players also need to be willing and openminded. In any successful relationship, open/honest communication and compromise is essential.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Players, especially the best ones, know they are the rare commodity. It's much easier to sack a coach, than it is to move on from an elite high priced player.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Should players respect their coaches? Yes, of course. Should there be room for healthy debate and discussion? Yes. Striking that balance is extremely difficult.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

But you must show them that what you're going to teach them will work AND that it is in their best interest AND the team's. This is not an easy task to pull off. Many try and fail at this for all sorts of reasons.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

When you have tasted success doing things a certain way, it is very difficult to convince a player that they need to change or do something different. Players, and this is true of even the best players, want to be coached.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

As for the players. When you reach the pinnacle of professional sports, there is a level of self belief, confidence, and arrogance they all possess to varying degrees.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Can it get better? Yes. Will it get better? I don't know. That depends on several factors, including the players.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Tactics are a small percentage of a manager's job. Particularly a manager at a big club. No club more than Real Madrid. For reasons none of us know, because we aren't there, this part of the job is proving extremely difficult.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

First, Xabi Alonso is not doing himself any favors by failing to identify a trusted XI, sometimes showing too much tactical flexibility, and at others not showing enough. He is also clearly struggling to establish trust with several members of the squad.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

But, as always, the issues and reasons are nuanced. There is a lot to look at and point to in Madrid right now.

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Some big picture thoughts about Real Madrid following their third straight poor performance. It is human nature to try and identify a single issue, scapegoat or reason whenever a situation is poor and results are suboptimal.

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

🚨New Episode🚨 Loconte and I preview Sunday's match against Rayo. What areas still need work? What takeaways from the Liverpool match can inform us about Rayo? How will the club manage without Tchouameni? Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/4r4ffsC Spotify: bit.ly/3WLupoB 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/qDCHrfR...

Rayo Vallecano v Real Madrid Preview

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 06/11/2025

Great piece by my guy Henry on the Ja Morant situation in Memphis and the parallels to Allen Iverson in Philadelphia. Check it out 👇🏿 open.substack.com/pub/truehoop...

open.substack.com

Ja Morant and Allen Iverson

It’s good and bad

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

🚨New Episode🚨Historical look at Vinicius Jr., how he's evolving under Xabi Alonso, and why Madrid need both he and Mbappe at their best to reach the highest levels. Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/3JBGDNE Spotify: bit.ly/4oN6l0p 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/qgZ2FIP...

Vinicius Jr, Xabi Alonso and Evolving Dynamics at Real Madrid

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Will Madrid rotate players today against Valencia? Will 4 midfielders be Xabi’s go to in big matches? Do Madrid need a “6” or an “8” @Loconteee and I answer all that and more on this week’s mailbag. Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/47wcfvV Spotify: bit.ly/3JF6mEQ 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/vTVXm6s...

Mailbag + This Week In Real Madrid

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Year 6 of the Morant and Trip era in Memphis and second head coach and this team still struggles to execute efficient half court offense

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

🚨New Episode🚨 The Real Deal Podcast. The interpersonal dynamics within a team are more complex than fans would like them to be. But that doesn’t change the reality. Sid and I discuss. Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/49bzOgj Spotify: bit.ly/4qpIvcO 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/t8DVbH0...

Can Vinicius & Xabi Alonso Coexist? Apology Reaction

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

My guy Loconte and I took a deep dive into Xabi Alonso's rapid rebuild at Madrid. What's working? What has he found? Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/4oEH6xi Spotify: bit.ly/3LbXfMf 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/olMEVUt...

Inside Xabi Alonso's TACTICAL UPGRADES

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Tough blow for Carvajal and Madrid. This might really mean the end for a club legend. Good thing Trent is back. It also looks like Fede will be playing A LOT of RB this season.

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Order has been restored after Real Madrid's 2-1 win in El Clasico! Sid, Loconte and I breakdown Madrid's tactical superiority, pitch dominance, and collective fighting spirit. Tap in 👇🏿IT'S FREE!!!!! Apple: apple.co/43kI2Pt Spotify: bit.ly/4hzqNzO 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/9wVO3mC...

El Clasico Postgame Breakdown: Real Madrid 2-1 Barcelona

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

Result was closer than reality: Barca didn't belong on the pitch. Xabi Alonso got Real Madrid to press high and defend well. We weathered momentum loss and sent Flick's squad home. Going live with my guys Sid and Loconte, now!!! Tap in 👇🏿 www.youtube.com/live/9wVO3mC...

El Clasico Postgame Breakdown: Real Madrid v Barcelona

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

The biggest fixture in club football kicks in about 25 minutes. Xabi Alonso's XI for today's Clasico against Barca puts Madrid's monsters of Bellingham, Tchouameni, Camavinga, and Valverde on the pitch together. Alonso wants his athletes to smother the Barca midfield. Will it happen?

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Reposted by Jarod Hector

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

🚨New Episode The Real Deal🚨 The fellas and I have a lively discussion ahead of El Clasico. Is this match about tactics or mentality? Do Real Madrid fans get too blinded by the club’s “DNA” and history? Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/3J4E3Q5 Spotify: bit.ly/4qtiOYP 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/NBmpgsN...

Mailbag, Endrick Situation, Xabi Alonso's Tactical Plans

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

🚨New Episode The Real Deal🚨 The fellas and I have a lively discussion ahead of El Clasico. Is this match about tactics or mentality? Do Real Madrid fans get too blinded by the club’s “DNA” and history? Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/3J4E3Q5 Spotify: bit.ly/4qtiOYP 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/NBmpgsN...

Mailbag, Endrick Situation, Xabi Alonso's Tactical Plans

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

It’s clear that the NBA’s new broadcast partners NBC and Amazon Prime are leaning into basketball and less of the other stuff. It’s early, but so far so good

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 18/10/2025

FOREVER!!!!! Let’s see if Silver and the league’s new broadcast partners (NBC, Amazon) manage to do it!

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Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Calling all Madridistas!!! Going live with the crew in an hour to discuss the Real Madrid news of the week, the atrocity of the Villarreal-Barcelona game being played in the US, football news from the int'l break and more. Any questions for the crew? Link: www.youtube.com/@RealDealPodz

The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

A Real Madrid Podcast, Film room-themed shows breaking down the greatest football club in the history of the world. Going beyond the noise with tactics, strategy, and analytics.

Reposted by Jarod Hector

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

🚨New Episode🚨 Loconte and I break down Madrid’s 3-1 win over Villarreal. Madrid are 9-0-1 across all competitions under Xabi Alonso heading into the int’l break. We discuss all that and more. Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/3KX2qPZ Spotify: bit.ly/3IQzgl5 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/E6kEZ3f...

Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal Postgame Breakdown

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 06/10/2025

🚨New Episode🚨 Loconte and I break down Madrid’s 3-1 win over Villarreal. Madrid are 9-0-1 across all competitions under Xabi Alonso heading into the int’l break. We discuss all that and more. Tap in 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/3KX2qPZ Spotify: bit.ly/3IQzgl5 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/E6kEZ3f...

Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal Postgame Breakdown

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

Jude and Arda start together in today’s El Derbi Madrileño. How we link to attack and the versatility in said attack will be really interesting. Excited for this match. Hala Madrid y nada mas!

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 14/09/2025

Where Loconte, Taalib and I wax on about Arda Guler, after Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. Links to the show in bio and previous post ☝🏿

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Reposted by Jarod Hector

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Loconte, Taalib and I break down Madrid’s 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. Los Blancos down to 10 men 😱 tap in, like, comment, share, subscribe 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/4n4NcXz Spotify: bit.ly/3VcLRSf 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/Q8t_TaN...

Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad Postgame Reaction

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast

Jarod Hector @jarodhector.bsky.social · 13/09/2025

Loconte, Taalib and I break down Madrid’s 2-1 win over Real Sociedad. Los Blancos down to 10 men 😱 tap in, like, comment, share, subscribe 👇🏿 Apple: apple.co/4n4NcXz Spotify: bit.ly/3VcLRSf 🎥: www.youtube.com/live/Q8t_TaN...

Real Madrid 2-1 Real Sociedad Postgame Reaction

YouTube video by The Real Deal: A Real Madrid Podcast