Xabi Alonso has stepped down as Real Madrid coach after mutual agreement, the club announced on Monday.
The news of Alonso’s departure was announced on the club’s website.
“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.
“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.
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“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.”
This comes after Madrid lost the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona. Meanwhile, former Spanish footballer Alvaro Arbeloa has been named as his replacement.
In a separate statement, Madrid announced Arbeloa would take Alonso’s place, without specifying the length of the 42-year-old’s contract.
The World Cup winner and two-time European Championship winner, Alvaro Arbeloa, will work as the new manager of Real Madrid.
“Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has developed his entire coaching career in Real Madrid’s academy since 2020,” said the club.
Xabi Alonso joined the club in June 2025, replacing Carlo Ancelotti. But the side’s struggles under Alonso’s leadership played a pivotal role in his departure.
His tenure would have ended earlier at the end of 2025, but five consecutive wins until the Super Cup repeat kept him in the position.