Real Madrid has announced the dismissal of Xabi Alonso as head coach of the first team.
In a statement released on Monday (one day after losing the Spanish Super Cup final to FC Barcelona) the club said the decision was taken “by mutual agreement.”
“Real Madrid C. F. announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his tenure as head coach of the first team to an end. Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madridistas, as he is a Real Madrid legend and has represented the values of our club at all times. Real Madrid will always be his home. Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their work and dedication during this period, and wishes them the very best in this new chapter of their lives.”
Alonso was unable to complete even a full season in charge of Real Madrid. He arrived last summer following a highly successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, with the primary objective of winning the Club World Cup.
That campaign ended in the semifinals, where his team suffered a heavy 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
He leaves the Bernabéu without silverware, having also fallen short on Sunday in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah.
“Real Madrid C. F. announces that Álvaro Arbeloa is the new head coach of the first team. Álvaro Arbeloa has been head coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has developed his entire coaching career within Real Madrid’s academy system since 2020. He managed Infantil A in the 2020–21 season, winning the league title; Cadete A in 2021–22; and Juvenil A from 2022 to 2025. As head coach of Juvenil A, he achieved a historic treble in the 2022–23 season (League, Copa del Rey and Copa de Campeones), and won the league again in the 2024–25 season. As a player, Álvaro Arbeloa was part of one of the most successful eras in Real Madrid’s history. He represented the club between 2009 and 2016, making 238 official appearances and winning eight titles: two Champions Leagues, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title, two Copa del Rey trophies and one Spanish Super Cup.”
