Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid after Super Cup loss as Arbeloa is appointed as the head coach from the reserves.
Just seven months after starting work at Real Madrid’s Valdebebas training facility, Xabi Alonso resigned from his position as coach. His retirement “by mutual consent” was revealed in a terse statement on Monday night following Madrid’s 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final the night before.
His buddy and former Real Madrid and Liverpool teammate Álvaro Arbeloa, who coached Madrid’s B team Castilla, will take his place, at least temporarily.
Alonso has been on edge for the past month. The Champions League loss at Liverpool in early November started a run of two wins in eight games, which also reduced a five-point lead over Barcelona at the top of the La Liga standings to a four-point deficit.
Even though the results improved, Madrid’s performances failed to persuade, and since the team was unable to find a suitable substitute, Jeddah was always going to be the site of the ultimate verdict. Despite being outplayed, Madrid defeated Atlético Madrid in the Super Cup semi-final in Saudi Arabia before losing the final.
In May, it was revealed that the former midfield player would be joining the Santiago Bernabéu on a 2028 deal. After his success at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga, the German Cup, and advanced to the Europa League final, he succeeded Carlo Ancelotti and was recognised as a modern systems manager.
Among the many signings he had asked for was François Zubimendi, who ultimately joined Arsenal. Though he had been hesitant to do so, preferring to start training prior to the league season, he assumed leadership of the team in July in order to prepare for the Club World Cup.
A club statement said: “Real Madrid C.F. announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his tenure as first-team coach. Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always embodied the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.
“Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their work and dedication during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.”