Real Madrid have brought Xabi Alonso’s short reign as head coach to an abrupt end, dismissing the former midfield maestro just seven months into the job following defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The decision, announced as a “mutual agreement,” underlines the unforgiving standards at the Santiago Bernabéu, where silverware is expected, not negotiated.
Alonso leaves Madrid with the club second in LaLiga, four points behind arch-rivals Barcelona, and sitting seventh in the Champions League standings after six matches. While the results were far from disastrous, recent losses in high-profile fixtures intensified pressure on a coach still finding his footing at elite managerial level.
Stepping into the role is Álvaro Arbeloa, promoted from Real Madrid Castilla after several years of impressive work within the club’s academy structure.
The 42-year-old, a former Madrid and Spain international, has earned internal trust through consistent success with youth teams, including a treble-winning campaign with the club’s Juvenil A side.
