Real Madrid has officially announced that it has mutually agreed with head coach Xabi Alonso to end his tenure at the club.
Following Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona in last Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup Final, the club announced the decision in an official statement on Monday. A subsequent Real Madrid announcement confirmed that former defender Álvaro Arbeloa would be promoted from reserve team manager to take over Alonso’s position.
Between November and December last year, Real Madrid won just three out of nine matches across all competitions. After suffering their first home league defeat of the season against Celta Vigo, they then endured their first home Champions League loss at the hands of Manchester City.
Ahead of the match against Manchester City on December 10, Real Madrid’s hierarchy—including president Florentino Pérez and general manager José Ángel Sánchez—held internal discussions regarding the team’s current situation and Alonso’s future.
However, after the league stage defeats, Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and Thibaut Courtois all expressed their support for the manager, stating: “We stand by the boss.” In December last year, although Real Madrid ideally hoped to retain Alonso and continue to trust the project, results are what matter most at this demanding club.
While the board did not hold Alonso solely responsible for the current situation, they were dissatisfied with the team’s image and recent results. Furthermore, it is concerning that a considerable number of players in the dressing room have failed to build a good rapport with the coach and his philosophy.
Last November, Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior told the club that he did not wish to renew his contract as long as his relationship with Alonso remained so strained. In recent weeks, the tensions between Alonso and some players in Real Madrid’s squad—not just Vinícius—have continued to escalate, with several first-team players unhappy with his management style and the number of major changes he has implemented since taking charge last summer.
Alonso won 10 of his first 11 La Liga matches in charge, including the El Clásico against Barcelona on October 24, but Real Madrid have now dropped to second place in the league table, four points behind Barcelona. Villarreal, who trail Real Madrid by one point, have a game in hand.
Alonso’s side won four of their six Champions League group stage matches, and Real Madrid are currently in a strong position to qualify for the round of 16 without having to go through the play-offs.
Alonso was appointed as Real Madrid manager last summer. Eighteen months prior, he led his team to win their first-ever Bundesliga title with an unbeaten domestic record in the 2023-24 season. The former midfielder began his coaching career at Real Sociedad B team and played for Real Madrid for five years between 2009 and 2014, winning five trophies including one Champions League title.
