3 min readJan 12, 2026 11:42 PM IST
First published on: Jan 12, 2026 at 11:40 PM IST
Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has left the team by mutual agreement, the La Liga club announced on Monday.
“Real Madrid C. F. communicates that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, he has decided to end his time as coach of the first team,” tha official club statement read.
The announcement came less than 24 hours after Los Blancos suffered a 3-2 defeat to arch-rival Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday. The Spaniard was already under pressure ahead of the club’s trip to Saudi Arabia and a failure to win the silverware has compounded in him leaving the job.
“Xabi Alonso will always have the love and admiration of all Real Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has represented the values of our club at all times. Real Madrid will always be his home,” the club said in a statement. Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and all his technical team for the work and dedication in all this time, and wishes them much luck in this new stage of their lives.”
Alonso’s return to Real Madrid in June 2025 was greeted with high expectations. He came off the back of a historic stint at Bayer Leverkusen, where he led the German side to an unbeaten Bundesliga title and a domestic cup, achievements that elevated him into Europe’s managerial spotlight.
However, 2025/26 campaign failed to match that promise. The club endured a poor run that included losses to key rivals and falling behind in the La Liga title race behind Barcelona.
Arbeloa appointed as new coach
Minutes after confirming the departure of Alonso, the club confirmed that former players Alvaro Arbeloa will be taking over as the new coach of the club.
“Real Madrid C. F. communicates that Álvaro Arbeloa is the new coach of the first team,” the club said in a statement. “As a player, Álvaro Arbeloa was part of Real Madrid in one of the most successful stages of his history. He defended our shirt between 2009 and 2016, in 238 official matches. During that time he won eight titles: two European Cups, one Club World Cup, one European Super Cup, one La Liga, two Copas del Rey and one Spanish Super Cup.”
He was previously in charge of Real Madrid Castilla.
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso looks on ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, on Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo)
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