Real Madrid announced on Monday that they have parted ways with manager Xabi Alonso by mutual agreement, just hours after the club's 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The decision marks the end of a turbulent tenure for the former Real Madrid and Spain midfield legend, who took charge of the club in summer 2025 following Carlo Ancelotti's departure to manage the Brazil national team.
The club released an official statement confirming the immediate termination of Alonso's role as first-team coach. Real Madrid stated that Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend who has consistently embodied the values of the club. The statement emphasized that Real Madrid will always be his home and thanked him and his coaching staff for their dedication.
Alonso faced mounting pressure in recent months due to a combination of injuries, poor results, and reported dressing room unrest. Real Madrid endured a difficult run of just two wins in eight matches between November 4 and December 10. In La Liga, the club currently sits in second place with 45 points, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points, a gap that has concerned the club's hierarchy.
The Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona proved to be the final straw for the Real Madrid board. Barcelona secured a 3-2 victory to claim their 16th Supercopa de Espana title in what was the 263rd competitive El Clasico and the fourth consecutive meeting between the two rivals in a Supercopa final. The loss added to a growing sense of crisis at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Within minutes of announcing Alonso's departure, Real Madrid confirmed that former defender Alvaro Arbeloa would take over as the new first-team manager. The club released a brief statement announcing that Alvaro Arbeloa is the new first team coach, marking a swift transition in the dugout. Arbeloa spent seven seasons at Real Madrid between 2009 and 2016, making over 200 appearances for the club.
Arbeloa returned to Real Madrid in 2020 after retiring as a player, joining the club's youth academy La Fabrica as a coach. He most recently managed Castilla, Real Madrid's reserve team, and has won multiple titles with the youth setup including a treble in the 2022-2023 season. His experience within the club's system was seen as a key factor in his appointment.
The new manager will have little time to settle into his role, with his first match scheduled for Wednesday against Albacete in the Copa del Rey Round of 16. Real Madrid will be hoping Arbeloa can steady the ship and close the gap on Barcelona in La Liga while navigating the knockout rounds of both domestic and European competitions in the coming months.
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