Xabi Alonso has left his post as Real Madrid head coach after just seven months, with the club announcing his departure “by mutual consent” on Monday evening. The decision came hours after Madrid’s 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah. Former Real Madrid and Liverpool defender Álvaro Arbeloa, who had been in charge of the club’s B team, Castilla, will take over on an interim basis.
Alonso had been under mounting pressure since a defeat at Liverpool in early November began a run of two victories in eight matches. That slump turned a five-point lead over Barcelona at the top of La Liga into a four-point deficit. Although results later improved, performances remained unconvincing, and the Super Cup final proved to be the decisive moment.
The former midfielder was appointed in May on a contract until 2028, replacing Carlo Ancelotti after a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga and German Cup and reached the Europa League final. He had requested several signings, including Martín Zubimendi, who ultimately joined Arsenal. Alonso took charge in July for the Club World Cup, though he had been reluctant to do so, preferring to start preparations later.
Early signs in that competition were promising, but Madrid were then dismantled 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in the semi-final. The season began with six straight La Liga wins and an impressive Clásico victory in October, yet that match aside, performances rarely convinced. Tensions emerged when Vinícius Júnior stormed down the tunnel after being substituted in one game, later apologising to players, staff and the president—but pointedly not to Alonso.
Madrid lost to Celta Vigo and Manchester City, leaving Alonso at risk, before five unimpressive successive wins offered a temporary reprieve. Sunday’s defeat ended his tenure after 34 games in charge, with six losses, including conceding three against Barcelona, four against PSG and five against Atlético Madrid. A club statement said Alonso “will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans” and that “Real Madrid will always be his home.”
Arbeloa, a product of Madrid’s youth system, made only a few first-team appearances before leaving for Deportivo La Coruña and then Liverpool. He returned to Madrid in 2009, going on to make 238 appearances and win eight trophies, including two Champions Leagues. He earned 56 caps for Spain and was part of the squads that won the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. He had coached in Madrid’s academy since 2020 before taking charge of Castilla last May.
