Why Real Madrid Sacked Manager Xabi Alonso After 233 Days

Real Madrid stunned the football world on January 12, 2026, by sacking manager Xabi Alonso just six months into his tenure, following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de Espana final. The club quickly appointed former player and coach Alvaro Arbeloa as his replacement, marking a bold and unexpected shift at the Bernabeu.[1]

Alonso, a Real Madrid legend as a player from 2009 to 2014, returned last summer 2025 to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, who departed for the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Fresh off an unbeaten Bundesliga triumph with Bayer Leverkusen—where he dethroned Bayern Munich over 2.5 years—expectations were sky-high. Yet, in 31 matches across all competitions, Alonso managed 22 wins, four draws, and five losses, leaving Madrid second in LaLiga (four points behind Hansi Flick's Barcelona) and seventh in the Champions League group stage (four wins, two defeats in six games).[1]

Where did it go wrong? Analysts point to Alonso's struggle adapting his high-pressing, possession-based style after Ancelotti's legendary, player-friendly reign. Early rumors of squad friction surfaced, with Jürgen Klopp noting the immense pressure at Madrid and how replacing a "legend with a very specific way of coaching" proved challenging. Klopp called the sacking a "big surprise," praising Alonso's talent but highlighting the lack of time given to coaches amid "enormous demands." He dismissed links to his own return, insisting Alonso wouldn't jump ship immediately.[3]

The dismissal was framed as a "mutual agreement" in official statements, but the timing—post-Supercopa heartbreak—underscores Madrid's ruthless pursuit of trophies. Alonso later expressed regret, saying he "did his best." Fans and pundits question if Arbeloa, a club insider, can steady the ship as Madrid chase LaLiga glory and Champions League progress.[2][4]

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