Real Madrid have parted ways with head coach Xabi Alonso, just one day after their loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup. Xabi’s exit ends his short time at the Santiago Bernabéu, and Álvaro Arbeloa has already been named as his replacement.
The shocking choice is another big change in management for the Spanish giants. It came at a time when Alonso was under a lot of pressure during a campaign with mixed results and challenges within the team.
The club said on Monday night that Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso had agreed to end his contract by mutual consent. This meant that he would no longer be the head coach less than eight months after being hired.
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Alonso signed a three-year deal with the club in the summer of 2025. He had just had a very successful time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German team to unprecedented success at home.
Real Madrid’s season under Alonso started off well, but it quickly became less and less consistent. The turning point was the Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, where they were beaten 3-2, sealing his fate.
The Official Statement from Real Madrid
Real Madrid thanked Xabi Alonso and his coaching staff for their hard work in their official statement. They also said that he would always be “a legend” of the club.
Part of the statement reads: “Real Madrid C. F. wishes to announce that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end… Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.”
What Caused the Split with Xabi Alonso?
Reports from several sources say that there were a number of reasons for the Real Madrid’s decision to part ways with Alonso:
1. Spanish Super Cup Loss
The most immediate cause was Real Madrid’s 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España. This loss not only cost Real Madrid a valuable trophy, but it also made people pay more attention to Alonso’s position.
2. Results and Inconsistency
Real Madrid are still doing well in La Liga and Europe, but their form has been inconsistent. The team fell to second place in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona. Fans and the club’s leaders were both upset by how inconsistent the team has been in recent weeks.
3. Dressing Room Dynamics
Spanish news reports also suggested that Alonso had challenges within the squad, with tensions over tactical decisions and authority. These narratives that only intensified following his final defeat.
Álvaro Arbeloa Takes Over as Head Coach
Real Madrid quickly announced Álvaro Arbeloa as the new head coach after confirming that Xabi Alonso would be leaving.
Arbeloa, a former defender for Real Madrid and a club legend, has been a part of the club’s coaching staff since 2020. Most recently, he was in charge of the reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla.
The 42-year-old played for Real Madrid 238 times between 2009 and 2016, winning two UEFA Champions League titles, La Liga, and many other trophies. Fans know and respect him well.
The club said that Arbeloa would take over first-team duties right away, but it’s not clear if this is a temporary or permanent position.
A Short, Turbulent Tenure
There were good and bad times for Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid. He took over from Carlo Ancelotti on June 1, 2025, and his first few months were very successful, with a string of wins that raised expectations for his management.
But as the season went on, things started to go wrong. Real Madrid had a good overall record, but they had trouble playing their best when it mattered most and had a few disappointing results in both domestic and European competitions.
Many praised Alonso’s tactical style at first, but as the season went on, more and more people started to wonder if he could handle the pressure of managing one of the world’s most demanding clubs and keep the locker room in order.
What Fans and the Media Said
The news that Xabi Alonso was leaving shocked the whole football world. There were a lot of reactions on social media from fans, journalists, and former players. Many were surprised at how quickly the tenure ended and talked about whether or not it was the right decision.
Some fans thought Alonso should have had more time to build a lasting project, while others were happy with the change and hope Arbeloa could bring balance and momentum back to a team that wasn’t living up to Real Madrid’s high standards.
What This Means for Real Madrid
This change in management comes at a very important time of year. Real Madrid is still in the running for La Liga and has big hopes for the UEFA Champions League, but they are worried about their consistency and morale.
The club will be hoping for a smoother path and a return to form that will keep their title hopes alive now that Álvaro Arbeloa is in charge. Many think that Arbeloa’s knowledge of the club’s values and culture is a big plus for this change.
Xabi Alonso’s Legacy at Real Madrid
Even though Xabi Alonso’s time at Real Madrid ended suddenly, it should be looked at in the larger context of his coaching career. Before joining Real Madrid, he had a lot of success at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga and became known as one of Europe’s best young coaches.
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He brought a new way of thinking and tactical sophistication to Real Madrid, even though the results were inconsistent. He didn’t win any major trophies with the club, but his time there will be remembered for its flashes of tactical brilliance and competitive spirit, even though it ended too soon.
What Comes Next for Alonso
Football fans are already guessing what Xabi Alonso will do next. Many think he will still be a top candidate for big jobs in the near future because there are likely to be a lot of high-profile managerial openings in Europe, including in the Premier League and on international teams.
Alonso’s history as a player and coach shows that he won’t be out of work for long. His project at Real Madrid may be over, but the story of his career as a whole is still interesting.
Last Thoughts
Real Madrid’s decision to let Xabi Alonso go shows how high their expectations are and how little time they have to wait. Alonso’s time at the club had some good parts, but after losing the symbolic Spanish Super Cup to Barcelona, the club decided to go in a different direction.
Real Madrid is starting a new chapter in what has already been a very busy 2025–26 season, with Álvaro Arbeloa ready to take charge. This season has been marked by big managerial changes, fierce rivalries, and a constant drive for success across Europe.
