Real Madrid has finalized the departure of Xabi Alonso as head coach, replacing him with Álvaro Arbeloa, who previously managed the club's B team. This decision came on Monday after Alonso's challenging tenure, which lasted less than eight months, culminating in a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final held in Saudi Arabia.
In an official statement, the club indicated that Alonso's exit was by mutual agreement, emphasizing his status as a club legend and affirming that he would always be regarded with affection by Madrid supporters. The statement also extended gratitude towards Alonso's coaching staff for their contributions.
Alonso had been appointed last May to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, entering the role with high expectations. However, under his management, the team often struggled to find consistent form. Reports emerged highlighting tensions between Alonso and certain players, including Vinícius Júnior, and several media sources suggested that Alonso had difficulty maintaining authority in the locker room.
Player dissatisfaction reportedly manifested in concerns over substitutions and team selection. Although some players voiced their support for Alonso late in the prior year, it appeared the underlying issues persisted. Following the defeat to Barcelona, an incident occurred during the awards ceremony where Alonso seemed to request a guard of honor for the victors, an overture declined when Kylian Mbappé and others exited the stage instead.
Mbappé was the first Real Madrid player to publicly bid Alonso farewell, posting on Instagram with praise for Alonso’s leadership and football knowledge, and thanking him for instilling confidence. Other members of the squad also shared messages of gratitude toward Alonso, though Vinícius Júnior did not publicly comment. Alonso himself has yet to make a public statement regarding his departure.
During his time as head coach, Alonso managed 34 games in all competitions, achieving 24 wins, six defeats, and four draws. Notably, the team secured a 2-1 victory over Barcelona in the season's initial El Clásico match but currently lags four points behind them at the midseason point in La Liga. The team’s next fixture is scheduled for Wednesday against Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16.
Álvaro Arbeloa, 42, who has been appointed as the new first team coach, brings extensive experience as a former player, having contributed to Real Madrid’s success from 2009 to 2016. During his playing career, Arbeloa helped the club secure eight major titles, including two UEFA Champions League victories and one La Liga crown. He was also part of the Spanish national squad that won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
Alonso, who shares a similar football pedigree, was also a member of the Spanish team that triumphed in the 2010 World Cup and the Madrid squad that won the 2014 Champions League. His tenure as a player for Real Madrid spanned from 2009 to 2014, during which he collected six titles.
Prior to his appointment at Madrid, Arbeloa had been coaching the B team since June and has experience leading various youth squads within the club. Alonso had signed a contract extending until June 2028, coming from Bayer Leverkusen, where he achieved a historic league and cup double after taking charge when the team was facing relegation threats the previous season.