Real Madrid have confirmed that Xabi Alonso has left his position as first-team head coach by mutual consent, with former defender Álvaro Arbeloa promoted from Castilla to take charge of the senior side.
The announcement came on Monday, just one day after Madrid’s dramatic 3–2 defeat to rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia- a result that ultimately proved decisive in Alonso’s short-lived tenure.
“Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first team coach,” the club said in a statement. “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.”
Xabi Alonso Departs After Eight Months
Alonso, 44, departs less than a year into the three-year contract he signed last summer after replacing Carlo Ancelotti. His appointment followed a meteoric rise in coaching reputation, having guided Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2024 with an unbeaten domestic campaign.
His reign in Madrid began impressively. Los Blancos won 10 of their first 11 La Liga matches under Alonso and enjoyed a strong Champions League league-phase campaign, winning four of six matches. However, pressure mounted following a series of high-profile defeats.
Madrid suffered losses to Liverpool and Manchester City in Europe, a heavy 5–2 defeat to city rivals Atlético Madrid and domestic setbacks against Celta Vigo. By the midway point of the season, the club had fallen four points behind Barcelona in La Liga.
Reports in Spanish media suggested Alonso struggled to maintain harmony in a dressing room filled with superstars. Several players were said to be unhappy with his tactical demands, while Vinícius Júnior publicly expressed frustration at being substituted. Sources also indicated Alonso clashed with Kylian Mbappé over tactics ahead of the Supercopa final and later held a tense meeting with club president Florentino Pérez.
Despite a late run of five consecutive wins that briefly eased pressure, Sunday’s Clasico defeat in Saudi Arabia proved the final straw. Alonso leaves having won 24 of his 34 matches in charge.
Only minutes after confirming his departure, Real Madrid announced Arbeloa as his successor. The 42-year-old has been coaching Castilla since June 2025 and has worked within the club’s academy since 2020, enjoying significant success at youth level, including multiple league titles and a treble with Juvenil A in the 2022–23 season.
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As a player, Arbeloa was part of one of the most successful eras in the club’s history, making 238 appearances between 2009 and 2016 and winning eight major trophies, including two Champions League titles and a La Liga crown. Internationally, he earned 56 caps for Spain and was a member of the golden generation that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 and 2012.
Arbeloa will take charge immediately, with his first match set to be a Copa del Rey round-of-16 tie away to second-division side Albacete on Wednesday.
Real Madrid now turn the page once again, hoping that a familiar face with deep ties to the club can restore stability and guide them back to the standards demanded at the Santiago Bernabéu.
