Xabi Alonso Leaves Real Madrid
Real Madrid has said that head coach Xabi Alonso will leave after only seven months in charge. The club made this choice after losing to Barcelona 3–1 in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. An official statement from the club says that Alonso’s departure was agreed upon by both sides.
The announcement means that the Spanish giants will have to change managers again quickly. They are currently in second place in LaLiga, four points behind Barcelona at the halfway point of the season. Real Madrid is also in seventh place in the Champions League group rankings, having won four of their six matches so far.
Arbeloa Was Moved Up from Real Madrid Castilla
Alvaro Arbeloa, who used to play for Real Madrid Castilla and is now the head coach, has been named Alonso’s successor. The 42-year-old has been developing talent in the club’s youth academy for the past six years. He led the Juvenil A team to several domestic titles, including a treble in the 2022–23 season.
It is said that Arbeloa’s knowledge of Real Madrid’s system and academy players played a role in the decision. Florentino Pérez, the president of the club, praised his leadership and knowledge of the team’s identity. “Arbeloa embodies the values of Real Madrid and represents our vision for discipline and continuity,” the statement said.
Source: BBC
Loss in the Super Cup and Stress in the Dressing Room
Alonso was fired right after the Spanish Super Cup final, when things were clearly tense. Footage from social media shows star forward Kylian Mbappé seeming to ignore Alonso after the game. The video quickly went viral, leading to rumors that the coach and senior players were not getting along.
Later, Mbappé posted a goodbye message on Instagram, saying, “It was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you.” His tribute was respectful, but it also made it clear that Alonso’s time at the club was short and the atmosphere was mixed. Several players told each other in private that they were surprised at how quickly the decision was made.
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Real Madrid’s Official Statement
Real Madrid thanked Alonso and his coaching staff for their hard work and praised his professionalism and legacy as a player and coach. The club made it clear that Alonso would “always be part of the Real Madrid family.” The statement also praised him for helping to shape the club’s culture and for being dedicated to helping players grow.
Alonso joined Real Madrid in the summer of 2025 after having a great time at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. His hiring came after Carlo Ancelotti left, and at first it was seen as a long-term investment in keeping the same manager.
Reaction from Former Real Madrid President
Ramón Calderón, who used to be president of Real Madrid, told Sky Sports that he was “surprised” by the club’s choice. He called Alonso’s firing “premature” and said that Real played well against Barcelona even though they lost. “We didn’t play badly,” Calderón said. “Winning is always a must, but I don’t think this was the right move.”
Calderón asked if replacing Alonso with Arbeloa would make a big difference. He talked about times in the past when unexpected success came from sudden coaching changes, like when Zinedine Zidane was promoted from Real Madrid Castilla in 2016. He said, “Maybe history can repeat itself.”
Arbeloa’s Coaching Background and Philosophy
Arbeloa’s coaching style focuses on discipline, tactical structure, and a high work rate, which are all things he showed as a player. Before leading the Juvenil A team to many trophies, he was an assistant coach at the academy. In June 2025, he was promoted to the Castilla bench because he had done well with youth teams.
Arbeloa played for Real Madrid, Liverpool, and the Spanish national team. He won two European Championships and a World Cup, among other major tournaments. His close friendship with Alonso from their playing days makes the change even more emotional.
Alonso’s Future and Links to the Premier League
Analysts say that Alonso’s sudden availability might make top Premier League clubs want to sign him. Depending on how things go with managers in the future, pundits have linked him to possible jobs at Liverpool or Arsenal. Experts, on the other hand, say that Alonso’s short time at Madrid could affect his chances right away.
Mark McAdam of Sky Sports said that Alonso’s tactical philosophy might not be ready for a Premier League club yet. McAdam said, “He is still very new to coaching.” “Even though he was a good player, his ideas for managing the team didn’t match what Real Madrid wanted.” Alonso’s next move is still unclear as he leaves the Bernabéu with mixed results.
Madrid Focused on Stability Under Arbeloa
Real Madrid’s leaders hope Arbeloa can bring the team back together and help them focus in the second half of the season. The club has a long history of promoting from within, which shows loyalty and an understanding of the team’s culture. This weekend, Arbeloa will be in charge of a LaLiga game for the first time.
The club’s top priority right now is stability, since the league title race is still ongoing and they need to qualify for the Champions League. As Real Madrid starts a new chapter with a familiar face, fans hope Arbeloa can bring back the unity and strength that have always been part of the club’s history.
