Real Madrid Sack Xabi Alonso After Poor Run and Barcelona Super Cup Loss

‎Real Madrid have officially confirmed that head coach Xabi Alonso has left the club, bringing an abrupt end to his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu. The announcement comes shortly after Los Blancos suffered a dramatic 3–2 defeat to fierce rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.

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‎Real Madrid have confirmed Xabi Alonso’s exit by mutual consent less than eight months after his arrival, following a Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona.

‎Getty/GOAL

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‎Speculation surrounding Alonso’s position had been ongoing for weeks, with reports suggesting the former midfielder was not universally supported within the dressing room. The club has now stated that the separation was reached through mutual consent, ending Alonso’s spell less than a year after he arrived from Bayer Leverkusen last summer.

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‎The decision was taken less than 24 hours after the Super Cup loss in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Real Madrid emphasized that the departure was amicable and expressed gratitude to the 44-year-old Spaniard, wishing him success in the next phase of his career.

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‎In an official statement, the club highlighted Alonso’s status as a Real Madrid legend, noting that he will always be held in high regard by supporters and that the club will remain his home. Madrid also thanked Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their commitment and professionalism during their time in charge.

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‎Earlier in the season, Alonso appeared to have Madrid firmly on course for success. After defeating Barcelona in late October, Los Blancos sat atop La Liga with a five-point cushion. However, a downturn in form followed, with struggles in the Champions League and a league position that now sees them four points behind Barca.

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‎For more than a month, questions had been raised about Alonso’s future, with reports linking Madrid to former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp should results fail to improve. Alleged unrest in the dressing room and doubts over player buy-in to Alonso’s methods further complicated matters. In November, Alonso himself acknowledged the pressures that come with managing a club of Real Madrid’s stature.

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‎He explained at the time that the role is demanding and that many managers before him have faced similar challenges, pointing to figures such as Carlo Ancelotti, José Mourinho, and Manuel Pellegrini as examples of coaches who had to navigate comparable situations.

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‎Following Alonso’s departure, Real Madrid swiftly confirmed his replacement. Alvaro Arbeloa has been promoted to first-team head coach after a successful spell in charge of Castilla, the club’s B team.

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‎Arbeloa has worked within Real Madrid’s youth system since 2020, coaching multiple age groups and achieving notable success, including league titles and a treble with Juvenil A during the 2022–2023 season. His coaching résumé also includes another La Liga triumph in the 2024–2025 campaign.

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‎As a player, Arbeloa was part of one of the most successful periods in Real Madrid’s history, representing the club between 2009 and 2016. During that time, he made 238 appearances and won eight major trophies, including two Champions League titles. He also enjoyed international success with Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships, earning 56 caps.

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‎Real Madrid now face a demanding schedule under their new coach. With little time to reflect on recent changes, the team is preparing for six matches in just over two weeks, including fixtures in the Copa del Rey, Champions League, and La Liga.

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‎Their immediate focus turns to a Copa del Rey last-16 clash away to Albacete, which will mark the beginning of a crucial period in Arbeloa’s first weeks in charge.