Xabi Alonso's tenure as manager of Real Madrid has come to an abrupt end after the club decided to sack the Spanish coach on Tuesday, 13 January 2026.
A Short-Lived Reign at the Bernabéu
Alonso, who was hired in the summer of 2025 after a spectacular spell at Bayer Leverkusen where he ended Bayern Munich's Bundesliga dominance, lasted just seven months in the Spanish capital. His appointment followed a stunning run in Germany, but he quickly found the pressure immense at the Santiago Bernabéu.
His time in charge yielded 24 wins from 34 games, alongside four draws and six defeats across all competitions. An initial run of 13 wins in 14 matches offered promise, but a downturn in form from November, including a Champions League defeat to Liverpool, saw scrutiny intensify.
The Final Straw and Dressing Room Tensions
The decisive blow proved to be a 4-3 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa final. The match was marred by a visible incident where star striker Kylian Mbappe was seen urging teammates to ignore Alonso's instruction to form a guard of honour for their rivals.
It is understood that Alonso had "lost the dressing room" very early into his reign, with reported clashes involving high-profile players like Vinicius Jr and even club president Florentino Perez. Despite public backing from midfielder Jude Bellingham in early December, the internal fractures proved irreparable.
Alonso's Statement and Arbeloa's Appointment
In his first public comments since his departure, posted on Instagram, Alonso struck a dignified tone. "This professional stage is over, and it didn't go as we would have liked," he wrote. "Coaching Real Madrid has been an honor and a responsibility. I thank the club, the players and above all the fans and Madrid fans for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude, and pride that I did my best."
Real Madrid have moved swiftly to appoint his successor, turning to a familiar face. Alvaro Arbeloa, a former teammate of Alonso's for Spain, Liverpool, and Real Madrid, has been promoted from his role as coach of the reserve team, Real Madrid Castilla.
The swift nature of the sacking and replacement underscores the relentless demands at one of football's biggest clubs, where even a record of 24 wins in 34 games was not enough to secure a future after a high-profile collapse in El Clásico.
