Real Madrid has officially parted ways with head coach Xabi Alonso, appointing Alvaro Arbeloa as his successor just a day after their Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona. The move comes amidst a season where the club finds itself second in LaLiga, trailing Barcelona by four points, and seventh in the Champions League group stage.
Alonso's tenure, which began in the summer, lasted just seven months. During his time at the helm, he failed to secure a single trophy, despite guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a historic double in the 2024 season. The decision to replace him comes as a surprise to many, including former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon, who expressed his reservations about the timing and the choice of replacement.
The club released a statement expressing their gratitude towards Alonso, acknowledging his stellar playing career and the values he represented during his time at the club. "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," the statement read.
Alonso's replacement, Alvaro Arbeloa, has been coaching Real Madrid Castilla, the club's B team, since June 2025. The 42-year-old has an impressive coaching record, having led the Juvenil A side to multiple titles in recent seasons. Arbeloa also shares a playing history with Alonso, having been his teammate at Real Madrid, Liverpool, and the Spain national team.
The decision to appoint Arbeloa has raised eyebrows, with some questioning whether he is the right fit to lead the club out of their current predicament. Calderon, for instance, suggested that the club's midfield issues might be the root cause of their problems, rather than the coaching staff.
Real Madrid's next challenge is a LaLiga fixture against Villarreal, scheduled for next weekend. Arbeloa will be eager to make a strong start in his new role, as the club aims to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona and secure a top-four finish in the Champions League.
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