Real Madrid parts ways with Xabi Alonso, appoints Álvaro Arbeloa as head coach

Real Madrid has ended Xabi Alonso’s brief tenure as head coach and promoted B team manager Álvaro Arbeloa to lead the first team, the club announced on Monday. The decision follows Sunday’s 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia and comes less than eight months after Alonso’s appointment.

The club said Alonso departed by mutual agreement, thanking him and his staff while stressing his enduring status as a Real Madrid legend. Arbeloa, a former Madrid and Spain defender, steps into the role immediately.

A swift change after a turbulent spell

In a statement, Real Madrid said it had “decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end” following an agreement with Alonso, adding that he “will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas.” The club also expressed gratitude to Alonso’s coaching staff.

Alonso arrived last May amid high expectations, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti after an accomplished playing career at the club and a rapid rise in coaching. However, results and performances proved uneven, and pressure intensified as the season progressed.

Madrid’s loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup final in Jeddah appeared to accelerate the decision. After the match, Alonso was seen encouraging his players to remain on the pitch during the awards ceremony, but several senior players, including Kylian Mbappé, walked away. The episode underscored the strains of a difficult period.

Results and reported tensions

Across all competitions, Alonso oversaw 34 matches, winning 24, drawing four and losing six. Madrid won the season’s first Clásico in October, a 2–1 victory, but at the halfway point of La Liga the club trails Barcelona by four points.

Spanish media reported tensions between Alonso and sections of the squad, including disagreements over substitutions during matches. Some players publicly expressed support for the coach late last year, though the atmosphere did not visibly improve. The club did not comment on those reports.

Alonso has not made public remarks since the announcement.

Player reactions and farewells

Mbappé was the first player to post a public farewell, sharing a photo with Alonso on social media. “It’s been short but it was a pleasure to play for you & learn from you,” the France forward wrote, thanking Alonso for his confidence “since Day 1.”

Several Madrid players followed with messages of appreciation. Vinícius Júnior, who had been cited in media reports as among those unhappy with certain decisions, did not post a public message.

Arbeloa steps up from within

Alonso is replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa, 42, who had been coaching Real Madrid’s B team since June and previously worked with the club’s youth sides. Arbeloa is a familiar figure at the Santiago Bernabéu, having won eight major titles as a player between 2009 and 2016, including two Champions League trophies and one La Liga title.

He also enjoyed a decorated international career with Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. Arbeloa and Alonso were teammates at Real Madrid, Liverpool and with the Spanish national team, sharing success at club and international level.

The club did not detail the length or terms of Arbeloa’s appointment. Madrid’s next match is Wednesday away to Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16, giving the new coach little time to prepare.

High expectations met a difficult reality

Alonso’s appointment last spring followed a standout spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German club to an unprecedented Bundesliga and domestic cup double in his first full season in charge. He had taken over Leverkusen while they were in the relegation zone the previous campaign, earning widespread praise for his tactical approach and man-management.

At Madrid, expectations were markedly higher and scrutiny unrelenting. While the team produced periods of strong form, performances were often inconsistent, and the club’s leadership ultimately opted for a change as the season reached a critical phase.

A familiar path for Real Madrid

Real Madrid has historically turned to former players during moments of transition, valuing institutional knowledge and continuity alongside immediate results. Arbeloa’s promotion reflects that approach, placing a trusted figure with deep ties to the club at the helm.

Whether the move stabilizes the season remains to be seen. For now, Madrid has acted decisively, closing a short chapter under Alonso and opening another with a coach shaped by the club’s recent golden era.