Real Madrid have confirmed the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso after a brief tenure lasting just over seven months. The former club midfielder leaves by mutual agreement in the wake of a damaging defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
A Promising Start Unravels
Alonso, who officially took the reins on 1 June 2024 following a triumphant spell at Bayer Leverkusen, initially made a strong impression. His early months in charge saw Real Madrid secure an impressive 13 victories from his first 14 matches in La Liga and the Champions League, with a heavy defeat to Atlético Madrid the sole blemish.
However, a loss at Liverpool on 4 November triggered a significant downturn in form. The team managed only two wins in the subsequent eight games across all competitions. Although Alonso briefly steadied the ship with a run of five consecutive victories, the recent Super Cup final loss to Barcelona proved to be the final straw for the club's hierarchy.
The Final Straw and League Position
The decisive factor in Alonso's exit appears to be the combination of the cup final disappointment and the team's standing in the domestic league. Real Madrid currently find themselves four points behind Barcelona at the summit of La Liga, a gap that the board clearly found unacceptable.
In an official statement, the club expressed its gratitude and enduring connection with the departing coach: “Real Madrid C.F. announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his tenure as first-team coach. Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always embodied the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.”
Legacy and Immediate Future
The statement continued, thanking Alonso and his staff for their work and dedication and wishing them luck in their future endeavours. Alonso's departure marks a swift end to a homecoming that began with much optimism after he led Bayer Leverkusen to a domestic double and the Europa League final in the 2023-24 season.
His time at the Bernabéu also included overseeing the team's campaign in the Club World Cup, where they reached the semi-finals. The search for his permanent successor will now begin in earnest, as Real Madrid aim to close the gap on Barcelona and salvage their season.
