Real Madrid Parts Ways with Xabi Alonso, Appoints Álvaro Arbeloa as New Head Coach
Real Madrid has confirmed the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso. The Spanish La Liga club made the announcement on Monday, stating the decision came by mutual agreement between both parties.
The news follows a disappointing 3-2 defeat to arch-rival Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday. This loss added pressure to Alonso's position, which was already under scrutiny before the team's trip to Saudi Arabia for the tournament.
Club Expresses Gratitude for Alonso's Service
In an official statement, Real Madrid acknowledged Alonso's contributions to the club. "Xabi Alonso will always have the love and admiration of all Real Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has represented the values of our club at all times," the club declared.
The statement continued, "Real Madrid will always be his home. Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and all his technical team for the work and dedication in all this time, and wishes them much luck in this new stage of their lives."
Alonso's Return Fails to Meet High Expectations
Xabi Alonso returned to Real Madrid in June 2025 amid significant anticipation. His appointment followed a remarkable tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the German side to an unbeaten Bundesliga championship and a domestic cup victory.
These achievements positioned Alonso as one of Europe's most promising managers. However, the 2025/26 season at Real Madrid did not deliver similar success.
The team experienced a difficult period that included losses to key rivals. They also fell behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race, compounding the challenges of Alonso's brief reign.
Álvaro Arbeloa Takes Over Immediately
Minutes after announcing Alonso's exit, Real Madrid confirmed Álvaro Arbeloa as the new head coach. The club issued a separate statement introducing Arbeloa to the role.
"Real Madrid C. F. communicates that Álvaro Arbeloa is the new coach of the first team," the announcement read.
Arbeloa brings substantial Real Madrid experience to the position. As a player, he defended the club's shirt from 2009 to 2016, appearing in 238 official matches.
During his playing career with Real Madrid, Arbeloa secured eight major titles:
- Two European Cups
- One Club World Cup
- One European Super Cup
- One La Liga championship
- Two Copas del Rey
- One Spanish Super Cup
Most recently, Arbeloa served as the coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team. This experience prepared him for the transition to leading the first team.
The coaching change marks a significant shift for Real Madrid as they navigate the remainder of the season. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how Arbeloa manages the squad following Alonso's departure.
