Jürgen Klopp Sends Message to Real Madrid After Xabi Alonso Sacking

Real Madrid have sensationally parted ways with manager Xabi Alonso just six to eight months into his tenure, following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on January 11, 2026. The club announced the decision on January 12, appointing former player and Castilla coach Álvaro Arbeloa as interim head coach.[1][2][3]

Alonso, a Real Madrid legend who succeeded Carlo Ancelotti in summer 2025, leaves with a record of 22 wins, four draws, and five defeats across competitions. Despite guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in 2024, his time at the Bernabéu was marked by tensions. Reports highlight dressing room discord, with insiders claiming "nobody liked him" and pointing to tactical mismatches, injuries, and a failure to integrate stars like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior effectively. Key incidents included Vinícius' public outburst after a substitution in October and a home loss to Manchester City, sealing his fate.[2][5][6]

Currently second in La Liga, four points behind Hansi Flick's Barcelona, and seventh in the Champions League, Madrid acted swiftly post-El Clásico loss in Saudi Arabia. The club statement praised Alonso's "affection and admiration" but ended the partnership by mutual consent, per some sources.[3]

In the wake of the news, former Liverpool boss Jürgen Klopp—Alonso's ex-midfield partner at Anfield—sent a heartfelt message to Real Madrid. Speaking on a podcast, Klopp expressed shock at the sacking, calling it "premature" and defending Alonso's potential: "Xabi is one of the best young coaches in the world. Real Madrid will regret this— he's a winner who just needed time to implement his vision." Klopp urged Madrid to reconsider, reminiscing about their Liverpool bond and Alonso's leadership qualities, while wishing Arbeloa luck in steadying the ship amid a challenging season.[1][2]

Fans and pundits are divided, with speculation on permanent replacements like Enzo Maresca or Zinedine Zidane. Alonso's abrupt exit underscores Florentino Pérez's history of short managerial tenures, ignoring deeper squad issues.[3][6]

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