Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid as Alvaro Arbeloa takes charge

Xabi Alonso has departed Real Madrid by mutual consent after less than eight months in charge and has been replaced as head coach by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Alonso had come under increasing pressure towards the end of last year, and the Spanish giants announced their decision following Sunday’s Spanish Super Cup defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in Saudi Arabia.

Arbeloa, a former Liverpool team-mate of Alonso, joined Real as youth team coach in 2020 and was appointed in charge of their second team, Castilla, in June last year.

A club statement read: “Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as coach of the first team.

“Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all madridismo because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.

“Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication throughout this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”

Real, who finished runners-up in LaLiga last season, trail defending champions Barcelona by four points and lost to Hansi Flick’s side in the Spanish Super Cup for the second year running on Sunday.

Alonso’s side have also lost to both Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League this season, as well as Atletico Madrid and Celta Vigo in LaLiga.

Former Real midfielder Alonso signed a three-year deal in May last year when succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, who left the club to become head coach of Brazil.

Alonso, who also had successful spells as a player at Liverpool and Bayern Munich, guided former club Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2024