Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso has mutually agreed to leave the club after 232 days in the role.
Alonso joined Real Madrid, who he also represented as a player, on May 25, 2025, after a successful period in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, but failed to have the positive impact expected of him as Los Blancos are currently trailing La Liga leaders and arch rivals Barcelona by four points after 19 league games this term.
The 44-year-old’s dismissal has come less than one day after Real fell to a 3-2 Supercopa de España defeat against Barca in Saudi Arabia.
Alonso managed Real to 24 wins in his 34 games in charge but was still booed by fans following the side's 2-0 home defeat against Celta Vigo on December 7.
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Real Madrid confirmed the news via an official statement on Monday (January 12).
“Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first team coach,” the statement read.
“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.
“Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication during this time and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”
The club also confirmed that Alvaro Arbeloa will take over as the new first-team head coach, having also represented the Spanish giants as a player.
The ex-Spain full back has managed the club's reserve team since June of 2025 and earlier coached in the youth academy for around five years.
The Spaniard, who also played in the Premier League with Liverpool, made 238 appearances for Real between 2009 and 2016, a period during which the side won two Champions Leagues, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title, two Copa del Rey trophies, and one Spanish Super Cup.
Arbeloa also won two European Championships - in 2008 and 2012 - as well as the 2010 World Cup with Spain.
Real Madrid are next in action on Wednesday (January 14) when they take on Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16.
The following Saturday (January 17), they will host Levante at the Santiago Bernabeu in what will be Arbeloa’s first La Liga game in charge.
Topics: Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso, La Liga, Football, Barcelona
Luke Davies