Xabi Alonso has stepped down as manager of Real Madrid after just eight months in charge, with former club defender Alvaro Arbeloa appointed as his replacement. The Spanish giants confirmed on Monday that Alonso had departed by mutual consent before announcing Arbeloa, who has been in charge of the club’s B team, as the new head coach. Alonso’s exit comes a day after Real Madrid were beaten by arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final and with the club currently trailing Barca by four points in the La Liga title race. Reports indicate tensions behind the scenes played a role in the decision, with Alonso said to have clashed with star forward Kylian Mbappe over tactical issues before Sunday’s final, as well as holding a disagreement with club president Florentino Perez on Monday. The 44-year-old, who enjoyed a successful playing career at the Santiago Bernabeu, was appointed last summer after leading Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024. He replaced Carlo Ancelotti with high expectations but endured a difficult spell, despite winning 24 of his 34 matches in charge. Real Madrid supporters voiced their frustration last month after a home defeat to Celta Vigo, a result that reportedly triggered urgent internal discussions about Alonso’s future. Heavy defeats to Atletico Madrid in La Liga and to Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League further increased pressure on his tenure. In a statement, the club praised Alonso’s contribution and legacy, describing him as a “Real Madrid legend” and thanking him and his coaching staff for their service. Arbeloa, 42, takes over immediately and will lead the team in Wednesday’s Copa del Rey round-of-16 clash away to Albacete. A former Real Madrid and Liverpool defender, he won two Champions League titles with the Spanish club and was part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup-winning squad. Although he has no prior experience managing a senior side, Arbeloa has been working within Real Madrid’s youth system since 2020 and is regarded as a respected figure within the club. BBC Sport analyst Guillem Balague described Alonso’s spell as one marked by a clash of philosophies, saying there was tension between the coach’s structured approach and players who preferred to rely more on instinct.
Xabi Alonso Leaves Real Madrid After Eight Months as Arbeloa Takes Over
