Real Madrid has parted ways with head coach Xabi Alonso, appointing reserve team coach Alvaro Arbeloa as his replacement. The announcement comes after inconsistent results, including a Supercopa de España final defeat to Barcelona, left the team trailing in La Liga.
According to Mediaplusng.com, the club described the departure as a “mutual agreement,” but multiple sources familiar with the situation confirmed that Alonso, 44, was effectively dismissed. Alonso had signed a three-year contract last summer after replacing Carlo Ancelotti. His tenure saw a strong start but recent performances and internal tensions prompted the club to act.
The statement from Real Madrid read: “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Real Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. We thank Xabi Alonso and his coaching staff for their work and dedication and wish them the best in the next stage of their careers,” Mediaplusng.com reports.
Arbeloa, a former Madrid defender, steps up from his role as head coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club’s reserve team in Spain’s third division. Arbeloa has extensive experience in Madrid’s youth academy and won the Juvenil A treble (league, Copa del Rey, and Champions Cup) in the 2022-23 season, followed by another league title in 2024-25.
Alonso’s dismissal comes after a poor run between November and December, where Madrid won only three of nine matches across all competitions. The team also suffered its first Bernabéu league loss of the season against Celta Vigo and its first home defeat in the Champions League to Manchester City.
Sources indicate that while the board did not blame Alonso entirely for the slump, dissatisfaction grew over the team’s image, recent results, and a strained relationship between the coach and some senior players. Vinicius Junior reportedly refused to renew his contract under Alonso, highlighting tensions within the squad.
Despite these issues, Alonso led Madrid to victories in 10 of his first 11 La Liga matches, including a memorable Clasico win over Barcelona. In the Champions League, Madrid remains well-positioned to reach the last-16 stage, winning four of six group-stage matches.
Alonso began his managerial career at Real Sociedad B before moving to Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the team to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in the 2023-24 season. He spent five years as a player at Real Madrid (2009–2014), winning five trophies, including a Champions League title.
Arbeloa now faces the challenge of stabilizing the team amid high expectations. Madrid sits second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona, with Villarreal close behind. The club will look to Arbeloa to restore harmony in the dressing room, revive results, and maintain strong performances in domestic and European competitions.
Real Madrid has confirmed that Alonso’s coaching staff will depart alongside him, while Arbeloa inherits a squad capable of competing for multiple titles, with immediate pressure to deliver results at the highest level.
