Arbeloa Replaces Alonso as Real Madrid Head Coach

Real Madrid have parted ways with head coach Xabi Alonso following Sunday’s Supercopa de España final defeat to Barcelona.

The club confirmed the decision in a statement released on Monday, announcing that the separation was reached by mutual agreement. A subsequent statement revealed that former defender Álvaro Arbeloa has been promoted from his role as reserve team coach to take over as head coach.

Alonso, 44, was appointed last summer on a three-year contract after replacing Carlo Ancelotti. However, a dip in form during November and December, in which Madrid won just three of nine matches across all competitions, raised concerns within the club. The poor run included their first home league defeat of the season to Celta Vigo and a Champions League loss at the Santiago Bernabéu to Manchester City.

Before the European defeat on December 10, senior club officials, including president Florentino Pérez and general director José Ángel Sánchez, reportedly held internal discussions over the team’s performances and Alonso’s future.

Despite public support from key players such as Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, the club remained dissatisfied with recent results and the team’s overall image. Reports also suggested growing tension between Alonso and several members of the squad, with concerns that parts of the dressing room were struggling to connect with his ideas. In November, forward Vinícius Júnior was said to have informed the club of his reluctance to renew his contract amid a strained relationship with the coach.

In a farewell statement, Real Madrid praised Alonso for his service, describing him as a club legend and wishing him success in the next chapter of his career.

Alonso enjoyed a strong start to his tenure, winning 10 of his first 11 La Liga matches, including an October Clásico victory over Barcelona. However, Madrid have since slipped to second in the league table, four points behind the Catalans, with Villarreal close behind.

In Europe, Madrid remain well placed to reach the Champions League round of 16 after winning four of their six league-phase matches.

Alonso joined Madrid after an impressive spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the club to their first Bundesliga title in the 2023–24 season with an unbeaten domestic campaign. As a player, he spent five years at Real Madrid, winning five trophies, including the Champions League.

His replacement, Arbeloa, 42, has been in charge of Real Madrid Castilla since June and has previously coached several youth teams within the academy. He led the Juvenil A side to a treble in the 2022–23 season and another league title in 2024–25.

A former right-back, Arbeloa made 238 appearances for Real Madrid, winning two Champions League titles. He was also part of Spain’s golden generation that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. His playing career also included spells at Deportivo La Coruña, Liverpool and West Ham United.