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Spanish giants Real Madrid said Monday that coach Xabi Alonso has left by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.
A day after the team lost the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona, the club parted ways with the Basque coach, eight months after his arrival, and immediately appointed former Madrid player Arbeloa, who was coaching the reserve side.
“Real Madrid announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his tenure as first-team coach to an end,” said the Los Blancos in a statement.
In a separate statement, Madrid then announced Arbeloa would take Alonso’s place, without specifying the length of the 42-year-old’s contract.
“Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has developed his entire coaching career in Real Madrid’s academy since 2020,” said Los Blancos.
Arbeloa’s first match at the helm is a Copa del Rey last-16 tie against second-tier Albacete on Wednesday.
The Spaniard played 238 times for Madrid between 2009-2016, winning two Champions League titles and La Liga once, among other silverware. Arbeloa also lifted the World Cup with Spain in 2010, as well as the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, playing alongside Alonso for club and country.
Alonso joined in June, replacing veteran Carlo Ancelotti, but Madrid struggled to find consistency under the Basque coach and is second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona.
Los Blancos were outplayed in a 3-2 defeat in Saudi Arabia on Sunday by Hansi Flick’s side, the 44-year-old’s last at the helm.
