Xabi Alonso Leaves Real Madrid After Seven Months as Arbeloa Takes Over Head Coach Function

Real Madrid have formally parted methods with head coach Xabi Alonso after simply seven months in cost, a choice that has shocked the European soccer group.

The membership confirmed his departure at some point after a dramatic 3–2 loss to Barcelona within the Spanish Super Cup ultimate, saying that Álvaro Arbeloa will take over as head coach.

Real Madrid Confirms Alonso Exit

In a assertion launched by the membership, Real Madrid mentioned the choice was reached by mutual settlement, stressing its continued respect for Alonso regardless of the transient tenure.

“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 departs with Madrid sitting second in LaLiga, 4 factors behind Barcelona on the midway stage of the season. In Europe, the membership presently ranks seventh within the Champions League standings, having received 4 of its six matches.

Historin Run With Leverkusen to Madrid Pressure

Alonso arrived in Madrid final summer season because the successor to Carlo Ancelotti, carrying immense expectations after a historic run with Bayer Leverkusen. He guided the German aspect to a outstanding league and cup double in 2024, incomes widespread reward for his tactical strategy and man-management.

Despite sturdy curiosity from Liverpool following Jürgen Klopp’s resolution to step down, Alonso selected to stay at Leverkusen for a further season earlier than accepting the Madrid job. Still, the strain that comes with managing one in every of soccer’s most demanding golf equipment proved unforgiving, with latest high-profile defeats accelerating his exit.

Álvaro Arbeloa Takes Over

According to Sky News, Real Madrid have turned to a well-known face in Álvaro Arbeloa, who steps up after serving as head coach of Real Madrid Castilla since June 2025. The 42-year-old has spent years working inside the membership’s academy and has constructed a powerful status on the youth stage.

During the 2022–23 season, Arbeloa led the Under-19 aspect to a treble, successful the league, Copa del Rey, and Champions Cup. He adopted that success with one other league title the next season, establishing himself as one of many membership’s most promising younger coaches.

Like Alonso, Arbeloa is a former Real Madrid participant, and the 2 shared the pitch at each membership and worldwide ranges, together with with the Spanish nationwide staff, and through their time at Liverpool.

Calderón Raises Squad Concerns

Former Real Madrid president Ramón Calderón questioned the timing of the choice, suggesting squad development performed a bigger position than teaching alone. He pointed particularly to midfield modifications following the departures of Toni Kroos and Luka Modrić.

Calderón famous that it’s extremely troublesome to be on the bench, however “sometimes it’s easier to change one coach than 22 players.”