Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid after seven-month coaching tenure

Published: 13 January 2026. The English Chronicle Desk. The English Chronicle Online.

Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid ended abruptly after seven months, a surprising departure announced following the Spanish Super Cup final. Xabi Alonso left the club by mutual consent on Monday evening after a narrow 3-2 defeat against Barcelona in Jeddah, leaving Madrid searching for immediate leadership. The news shocked fans as Xabi Alonso had been considered a promising appointment, bringing modern tactical ideas from his successful time at Bayer Leverkusen. From the start, Xabi Alonso’s project at the Santiago Bernabéu faced high expectations, though inconsistencies in results quickly eroded confidence in his approach.

During his short spell, Xabi Alonso’s Madrid began strongly, winning six consecutive La Liga matches before a loss at Liverpool in the Champions League triggered a decline. The team struggled to maintain a lead at the top of the table, eventually turning a five-point advantage over Barcelona into a four-point deficit. Despite brief flashes of promise, such as the clásico victory in October, overall performances rarely inspired fans or players, highlighting gaps in the club’s adaptation to Alonso’s tactical methods. Even positive moments, like Vinícius Júnior’s temporary embrace of Alonso, failed to secure long-term stability.

Alonso’s strategic vision included several key signings, though some targets, like Martín Zubimendi, were ultimately secured by other clubs. He began his tenure with preparations for the Club World Cup, aiming to instill his style, yet early rounds exposed weaknesses. Madrid were heavily beaten by Paris Saint-Germain in a 4-0 semi-final, showing persistent vulnerabilities. The lack of reinforcement and partial support from the club’s hierarchy limited Xabi Alonso’s influence, leaving him exposed during periods of poor form.

Following the Super Cup defeat, Real Madrid moved quickly to appoint Álvaro Arbeloa, a former teammate and friend of Alonso, as temporary first-team coach. Arbeloa previously led Castilla, Madrid’s B team, and has been part of the club’s coaching setup since 2020. Known for his long playing career with Madrid and Liverpool, Arbeloa brings familiarity and continuity to a side in need of stability. His leadership experience with youth squads is expected to provide a steadying presence as the club evaluates longer-term options for the managerial position.

Madrid’s statement praised Alonso’s contributions, noting that he “will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans” and that he embodies the values of the club. The statement also thanked his coaching staff for their dedication and wished them well in future endeavors. Despite the early termination, Xabi Alonso leaves a legacy as a Real Madrid legend, respected both for his playing career and his attempt to modernize the team’s tactical approach during a challenging period.

Alonso’s record across 34 games included six defeats, with notable heavy losses to Barcelona, PSG, and Atlético Madrid. While individual performances sometimes impressed, the overall team consistency failed to meet the club’s lofty ambitions. Madrid now faces the immediate challenge of stabilizing form and rebuilding momentum under Arbeloa’s temporary leadership, aiming to salvage a La Liga title race that has grown more competitive amid a turbulent season.

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