Alvaro Arbeloa was named as Real Madrid’s new head coach on Monday, replacing Xabi Alonso, who left the role following a 2-3 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has developed his entire coaching career in Real Madrid’s academy since 2020.
The Spaniard played 238 times for Madrid between 2009 and 2016, winning two Champions League titles and La Liga once, among other silverware.
Arbeloa also lifted the World Cup with Spain in 2010 and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, playing alongside Alonso for club and country.
Arbeloa’s first match at the helm is a Copa del Rey last-16 visit to face second-tier Albacete on Wednesday.
Earlier, Real Madrid announced the departure of Xabi Alonso, reached by mutual agreement.
“Real Madrid C. F. wishes to announce that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end,” the press release wrote.
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“Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home,” it added.
“We would like to thank Xabi Alonso and all his coaching staff for their hard work and dedication throughout this time, and wish them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”
Alonso had signed a three-season deal after leaving Bayer Leverkusen, until June 2028.
The team were thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in July in the Club World Cup semi-finals, which was an early setback for the coach.
Despite a Clasico win over Barcelona in October, it appeared president Florentino Perez had not fully warmed to Alonso, who had intended to bring a modern coaching approach to the team.
The team struggled through a run of poor form amid an injury crisis, with Spanish media reporting some players had fallen out with him and that Alonso would be ousted if they failed to beat Manchester City in the Champions League in December.
Madrid lost but the performance was solid enough that Alonso was given more time to try and save his job.
However, the defeat by Barca in Jeddah was the final straw for Madrid, who agreed a deal with Alonso for him to depart.