Spanish giants Real Madrid announced the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso by mutual agreement on Monday, following a 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final, capping a tenure of less than a year marked by underwhelming results in the 2025-2026 season.
The club, trailing Barcelona by four points in La Liga, named former player Álvaro Arbeloa — previously in charge of Real Madrid’s B team — as his immediate replacement.
In an official statement, Real Madrid said: “Real Madrid C. F. announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his tenure as head coach of the first team to an end.”
The club paid tribute to the 44-year-old Spaniard, a former midfielder who won the Champions League with Madrid in 2014, adding: “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has consistently embodied the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.”
It further expressed gratitude: “Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their work and dedication throughout this period and wishes them the very best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.”
Alonso, who returned to the Bernabeu in May 2025 after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to a historic unbeaten Bundesliga title, faced mounting pressure amid inconsistent form, culminating in Sunday’s loss in the Spanish Super Cup.
