Real Madrid have announced the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso by mutual consent, following the club’s defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Gatekeepers News reports that the decision was confirmed on Monday, a day after Los Blancos lost 3–2 to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia. Alonso has been replaced by former Real Madrid defender Álvaro Arbeloa, who had been in charge of the club’s reserve side.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,” the club said in a statement.
In a separate announcement, Real Madrid confirmed Arbeloa’s appointment as head coach but did not disclose the duration 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,” the club said.
Alonso, who took charge in June after replacing veteran coach Carlo Ancelotti, struggled to deliver consistent results during his time at the helm. Real Madrid currently sit second in La Liga, four points behind arch-rivals Barcelona.
Sunday’s Super Cup final defeat to Hansi Flick’s Barcelona side proved to be Alonso’s final match in charge. The Basque coach had come under pressure toward the end of 2025 but was spared dismissal after guiding the team to a run of five consecutive victories.
