- Real Madrid Sack Xabi Alonso Appoint Arbeloa
- Alvaro Arbeloa named new head coach
- Decision follows Super Cup loss to Barcelona
Real Madrid have parted ways with head coach Xabi Alonso and appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as his replacement, the club confirmed on Monday.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Alonso’s exit comes just seven months into his tenure and follows Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final played in Saudi Arabia on Sunday. The club said the decision was reached by mutual agreement.
Arbeloa, who has been in charge of Real Madrid’s B team since June 2025 and has spent the past six years working within the club’s academy structure, has been promoted to take over the first team with immediate effect.
At the time of Alonso’s departure, Real Madrid sit second in the LaLiga table, four points behind leaders Barcelona at the midway stage of the season. In Europe, the Spanish giants are seventh in the Champions League standings after winning four of their six matches and losing two.
In an official statement, the club paid tribute to Alonso, highlighting his legacy as a former player and his connection to the club.
“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,” the statement read.
Arbeloa now faces the task of stabilising results as Real Madrid continue their pursuit of domestic and European success.
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