The “prodigal son” narrative at the Santiago Bernabéu has met a brutal and premature conclusion. Real Madrid have officially sacked Xabi Alonso after just seven months in charge, following a period of inconsistent performances that culminated in a demoralising 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The match, held at the King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, served as the final straw for the Madrid hierarchy. Despite Alonso’s high standing as a former club legend and his previous success at Bayer Leverkusen, the relentless pressure of the Real Madrid dugout proved insurmountable. As the final whistle blew in Jeddah, disgruntled supporters were heard chanting for his removal—a demand the board fulfilled within twenty-four hours.
A Tenure of High Expectations
Alonso arrived in June 2025 with the heavy task of succeeding Carlo Ancelotti. While his tactical acumen was never in doubt, the translation of his “Leverkusen magic” to the Spanish capital was patchy. Although the club remains in the title hunt, they currently trail a rampant Barcelona by four points in La Liga.
| Metric | Xabi Alonso’s Record (All Competitions) |
| Matches Managed | 34 |
| Wins | 24 |
| Draws | 4 |
| Losses | 6 |
| La Liga Standing | 2nd (45 Points) |
| Win Percentage | 70.5% |
In a formal statement, the club announced: “Real Madrid CF and Xabi Alonso have mutually agreed to part ways. The club wishes to thank Xabi for his dedication and the values he represented during his time leading the first team.”
The New Era: Álvaro Arbeloa
Real Madrid moved with characteristic speed to name a successor, turning once again to a former player who understands the club’s exacting “DNA.” Álvaro Arbeloa has been promoted from his role as head coach of Real Madrid Castilla to take immediate charge of the senior squad.
Arbeloa, a gritty and loyal defender during his playing days (2009–2016), won eight major trophies at the club, including two Champions League titles. Since retiring in 2017, he has been groomed within the Madrid academy system, starting his coaching journey in 2020.
The appointment of Arbeloa is seen as a move to restore defensive discipline and “Madridismo” to a dressing room that reportedly struggled with Alonso’s complex tactical demands. Arbeloa’s first task will be to close the gap on Barcelona and prepare the squad for the high-stakes knockout rounds of the UEFA Champions League.