Real Madrid’s ruthlessness with managers has continued following news of Xabi Alonso’s sacking after just seven months at the helm.
Pressure has been mounting on the 44-year-old since the start of December after some indifferent results.
That intensified on Sunday night after Real were beaten 3-2 by eternal rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Xabi Alonso out, Alvaro Arbeloa in at Real Madrid
And less than 24 hours later, Real announced Alonso’s exit with his former Liverpool, Real and Spain team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa replacing him. The 42-year-old has been promoted from coaching Real’s B team.
‘Real Madrid C. F. wishes to announce that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end,’ their statement read.
‘Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.
‘We would like to thank Xabi Alonso and all his coaching staff for their hard work and dedication throughout this time, and wish them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.’
In announcing Arbeloa, Real said: ‘Real Madrid C. F. would like to announce that Álvaro Arbeloa will be the new first team coach.
‘Alvaro Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025, and has spent his entire coaching career in Real Madrid’s youth academy since 2020. He coached the Under-14s A in the 2020-2021 season, winning the league title, the Under-16s in the 2021-2022 season and the Under-19s from 2022 to 2025. As coach of the Under-19s, he won the treble in the 2022-2023 season (League, Copa del Rey and Champions Cup) and the League in the 2024-2025 season.
‘As a player, Alvaro Arbeloa was part of Real Madrid in one of the most successful periods of its history. He defended our shirt between 2009 and 2016, in 238 official matches. During that time he won eight trophies: two European Cups, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one LaLiga title, two Copa del Rey trophies and one Spanish Super Cup.
‘With the Spanish national team, Alvaro Arbeloa was also part of a historic era, in which he won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and two European Championships (2008 and 2012). He was capped 56 times.’
Arbeloa’s first game in charge will be on Wednesday night when Real travel to second division side Albacete in the Copa del Rey last 16.
