Real Madrid has confirmed that Xabi Alonso has left his role as manager after less than eight months in charge. The club said the decision was by mutual consent and shortly after announced that former Real and Spain full-back Alvaro Arbeloa will take over as manager.
Arbeloa, 41, has been coaching Real Madrid’s B team since 2020 and has no prior experience managing a senior team. His appointment represents a significant step in responsibility, as he inherits one of the world’s most high-profile football clubs amid challenges in both La Liga and the Champions League.
Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid has been marked by mixed results. While he won 24 of his 34 games in charge, his time in the role was plagued by several heavy defeats and moments of tension with both players and club management. The team suffered a 5-2 loss to city rivals Atletico Madrid in September, and endured defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League. A loss to Celta Vigo last month saw the squad booed off the pitch and reportedly triggered an emergency meeting among the club’s hierarchy to assess Alonso’s future.
Tensions reportedly escalated during the Spanish Super Cup. Real Madrid were defeated by Barcelona on Sunday, leaving them four points behind in La Liga. Sources told BBC Sport that Alonso had an argument with striker Kylian Mbappe over tactics prior to the final. He also reportedly clashed with club president Florentino Perez on Monday, which is believed to have contributed to the decision for Alonso to step down.
Alonso, 44, replaced Carlo Ancelotti last summer after a successful stint with Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga in 2024. As a player, Alonso spent five years at Real Madrid, winning multiple domestic and European titles, and is widely regarded as a club legend.
In a statement, Real Madrid said, “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 coaching staff for their work and dedication throughout this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”
Arbeloa now faces a challenging task. Taking over mid-season, he must stabilize a team that has struggled with consistency, regain the confidence of the players, and guide the club in both La Liga and the Champions League. The former full-back’s appointment is being closely watched by fans and analysts alike, with many debating whether promoting a coach with no senior experience is the right move for one of the world’s elite football clubs.
Alonso’s departure also highlights the extreme pressures associated with managing Real Madrid, where even former players and club legends are not immune from scrutiny. Expectations at the Bernabeu are among the highest in world football, and success is demanded immediately, with little room for error.
As the club enters this new phase under Arbeloa, attention will focus on how he navigates the challenges ahead, whether he can implement his own philosophy, and how he manages high-profile stars such as Mbappe, Benzema, and others who have been central to Real Madrid’s ambitions in Europe and Spain.
Real Madrid fans will be watching closely as the club aims to recover momentum, maintain its position at the top of La Liga, and contend seriously in the Champions League. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the decision to part ways with Alonso was the right one, and whether Arbeloa can succeed where others have struggled.
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