Real Madrid and coach Xabi Alonso have parted ways. The Spanish giants announced the decision a day after their 3-2 defeat to rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final.
Only minutes after the announcement, Madrid confirmed Álvaro Arbeloa will be taking over as the first-team coach. Another former club defender, Arbeloa was managing Castilla, the club’s reserve team, since June 2025.
“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. 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. Our club thanks
Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives,” the club said in a statement.
Alonso signed a three-year contract at Madrid in June 2025, taking over from Carlo Ancelotti. As a club legend and one of the most promising young managers in the world — having guided Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title with an unbeaten run — he was welcomed with massive fanfare.
However, the results were never consistent under their command, at least to the standard of Real Madrid. They won ten of the first 11 matches under Alonso, but a home defeat to Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League and their slide to a four-point deficit to the Catalan rivals in La Liga seemingly worked against him.
According to reports in the Spanish media, Alonso didn’t have the complete backing of the dressing room full of superstars, with Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, and Fede Valverde unhappy with his coaching style.
Meanwhile, Arbeloa played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2016 during one of the club’s most successful eras, making 238 appearances and winning eight major trophies, including two Champions Leagues and a La Liga title. A lion’s share of his appearances at Madrid, and before that at Liverpool, came alongside Alonso.
Internationally, Arbeloa earned 56 caps for Spain and was part of the golden generation that won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2008 and 2012.
