Just seven months. In such a short time, Real Madrid had to part ways with their “homegrown” son, Xabi Alonso. Rumors had been circulating for some time that Alonso might not last long as the club’s coach. He was unable to deliver the results expected by Europe’s most successful club. And finally, those rumors proved true. After losing 3–2 to arch-rivals Barcelona in yesterday’s Spanish Super Cup final, Real Madrid have dismissed him.
The experienced Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti left, and last June, former player Alonso took charge of Real. Spanish media then described it as “the homegrown son returning home.” But the success Alonso brought to Bayer Leverkusen from 2022 to 2025 could not be replicated at Real Madrid.
After 19 matches in La Liga, Real sits in second place, four points behind Barcelona, who lead the table with 49 points compared to Real’s 45. And now they have lost to the same Barcelona in the Super Cup final. At King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, following the loss, Real supporters in the gallery chanted, “Fire him!”
Real did not take long to make the decision. In a statement today, the club said, “Real Madrid announces that by mutual agreement, Xabi Alonso’s chapter as first-team coach has come to an end.” Under Alonso, Real played 34 matches across all competitions, winning 24, drawing 4, and losing 6.
A few moments after Alonso’s dismissal, Real issued another statement naming the new first-team coach: “Real Madrid announces that Alvaro Arbeloa will be the new first-team coach.”
Since last June, former player Arbeloa had been coaching Real Madrid Castilla. He retired from playing in 2017 and began his coaching career in 2020, initially leading the club’s youth academy.
As a player, Arbeloa appeared in 238 matches for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2016. During that time, he won eight trophies with the club—two Champions Leagues, two Copa del Rey titles, and one each of the Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, La Liga, and Spanish Super Cup. The former defender also won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 Euros with Spain.
