Alonso exits Real Madrid after eight months, Alvaro Arbeloa takes charge
Xabi Alonso has stepped down as Real Madrid manager after just eight months in charge, with the club confirming his departure was by mutual consent.
The decision follows a turbulent spell marked by inconsistent results and growing pressure at the Bernabéu.
Arbeloa promoted to first-team role
Minutes after announcing Alonso’s exit, Real Madrid confirmed the appointment of Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach.
The former Spain international has been promoted from his role with the club’s B team and will take immediate charge, starting with Wednesday’s Copa del Rey round-of-16 tie away to Albacete.
Arbeloa, 42, has been part of Madrid’s coaching structure since 2020 but this represents his first senior managerial role.
As a player, he enjoyed a decorated career, winning two Champions League titles with Real Madrid, the 2010 World Cup, and two European Championships with Spain.
Alonso’s brief and pressured tenure
Alonso replaced Carlo Ancelotti last summer after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024. Despite winning 24 of his 34 matches in charge, his reign was undermined by high-profile defeats and internal tension.
Real trail Barcelona by four points in La Liga and were beaten by their rivals in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
Heavy losses to Atletico Madrid domestically and to Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League intensified criticisms, while fans booed the team off following a defeat to Celta Vigo last month.
According to BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague, Alonso’s downfall stemmed from “a clash between a coach with a clear methodology and players who want to rely on instinct.”
Club reaction
In an official statement, Real Madrid praised Alonso’s legacy and professionalism, stressing that he “will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans” and reaffirming that the club “will always be his home.”
The focus now shifts to Arbeloa, who inherits a squad under pressure and a season still very much alive across domestic and European competitions.
