Madrid, January 12, 2026 — Real Madrid CF has announced the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso by mutual agreement with the club, just one day after a 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The decision ends Alonso's tenure after only seven months in charge, during which he oversaw 34 matches, securing 24 wins, four draws, and six losses.
The club made the announcement via its official channels on Monday, stating: “Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first team coach. 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.”
Alonso, a former Real Madrid player and one of the club's most decorated midfielders, was appointed in the summer of 2025 following a highly successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the team to an unbeaten Bundesliga title and domestic double in 2023-24. He succeeded Carlo Ancelotti, who departed for the Brazilian national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Expectations were sky-high for Alonso to implement his possession-based, high-pressing style at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Despite an initially promising start, including strong results in the early part of the 2025-26 season where Real Madrid led La Liga by five points in November, the team encountered significant challenges. A poor run of form before Christmas saw just two wins in eight games, including defeats to Liverpool, Celta Vigo, and Manchester City. Although a subsequent five-match winning streak briefly eased pressure, the loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final proved decisive.
The final, played on Sunday, January 11, 2026, at King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, was a thrilling El Clásico. Barcelona, under Hansi Flick, triumphed 3-2, with Raphinha scoring twice (36' and 73') and Robert Lewandowski adding one (45+4'). Real Madrid responded through Vinícius Júnior's brilliant solo effort (45+2') and a late goal from Gonzalo García (45+7'), but it was not enough to prevent defeat. The match featured intense drama, including a late red card for Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong and several contentious moments.
This Supercopa loss came amid Real Madrid trailing Barcelona by four points in La Liga, heightening scrutiny on Alonso's tactics, player management, and ability to unify a star-studded squad reportedly experiencing internal discord. Reports suggested the dressing room had grown divided, with some players questioning the manager's authority despite his legendary status as a player.
In a swift transition, Real Madrid immediately named former defender Álvaro Arbeloa as the new first-team coach. Arbeloa, 42, has been managing Real Madrid Castilla (the reserve team) since June 2025 and has spent his entire coaching career within the club's youth academy since 2020. He previously led the Infantil A team to a league title in 2020-21, the Cadete A team in 2021-22, and the Juvenil A team from 2022 to 2025, where he achieved a treble (League, Copa del Rey, and Champions Cup) in 2022-23 and another league title in 2024-25.
As a player, Arbeloa represented Real Madrid from 2009 to 2016, making 238 official appearances and winning eight major titles: two UEFA Champions Leagues, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga, two Copa del Rey trophies, and one Spanish Super Cup. He also enjoyed international success with Spain, contributing to the 2010 World Cup victory and European Championships in 2008 and 2012, earning 56 caps.
The appointment of Arbeloa represents a club-first approach, promoting from within to stabilize the team amid a critical phase of the season. He will take charge immediately, with his first match expected against Levante in La Liga later this week.
Alonso's exit has shocked the football world, given his reputation as one of Europe's most promising young managers. The swift nature of the decision—coming less than 24 hours after the Supercopa final—highlights the relentless pressure at Real Madrid, where results and trophies are paramount. The squad reportedly learned of the departure through the official statement, adding to the sense of surprise.
As Real Madrid seeks to regain momentum in La Liga and advance in the Champions League, Arbeloa faces the immediate challenge of rallying a talented but underperforming group. The club's storied history of quick managerial changes continues, with Alonso's brief reign serving as a reminder of the high stakes at the Bernabéu.
