The decision comes after the white team fell in the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona (3-2), ending Xabi Alonso's seven-month tenure on the bench. The club stated in a press release that the separation was reached by “mutual agreement” with the coach.
“"Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a legend of Real Madrid and has represented the values of our club at all times. Real Madrid will always be his home."
Alonso, who took over last June replacing Carlo Ancelotti, managed the team for 34 matches, achieving 24 wins, 4 draws, and 6 losses. Despite having the team second in LaLiga EA Sports and qualified for the Champions League and Copa del Rey knockout stages, the defeat in the Clásico was the final trigger.
His replacement, Álvaro Arbeloa, is promoted from Real Madrid Castilla, the reserve team he had managed since June 2025. Arbeloa, a club legend as a player, has developed his entire coaching career in the Madrid academy, notably winning the treble with the Juvenil A team in the 2022-2023 season. His debut will be this Wednesday in the Copa del Rey round of 16 against Albacete.
