Real Madrid Sack Xabi Alonso After Barcelona Humiliation – Liverpool Door Opens?

Real Madrid have sensationally parted ways with manager Xabi Alonso after just seven months in charge, following a humiliating 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa de España final in Saudi Arabia.[1][2][3][4][5]

The 44-year-old Basque coach, a former Real Madrid and Liverpool midfielder, was appointed in June 2025 after a triumphant spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he ended Bayern Munich's 11-year Bundesliga dominance by leading Leverkusen to the German title.[1][2][5] He replaced Carlo Ancelotti, who departed for the Brazil national team job.[3][6]

Alonso's tenure lasted approximately 28 games or 232 days, marked by mixed results. Real Madrid sit second in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by four points after 19 matches, and languish seventh in the Champions League group stage with two games remaining.[2][3] Recent setbacks included an emphatic Club World Cup semi-final exit and the Supercopa final loss, despite a semi-final win over Atletico Madrid.[3][6]

The club announced the decision via an official statement on Monday, January 12, 2026, describing it as a "mutual agreement."[1][2][3][4][5][6] "Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first-team coach," it read. The statement praised Alonso as a "Real Madrid legend" who "always represented the values of our club," adding that Madrid would "always be his home" and thanking him for his dedication.[2][3][5][6]

Alvaro Arbeloa, a former Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Spain teammate of Alonso, has been appointed interim head coach. The ex-full-back has managed the club's reserve team (Castilla) since June 2025 after years in the youth academy.[2][5][6]

For Liverpool fans, the timing is intriguing. Alonso was heavily linked with Anfield before choosing Madrid, and his sacking reignites speculation about a dream return to the club where he won the Champions League in 2005. Sources hint the door may now be open, amid Liverpool's ongoing search for long-term stability post-Klopp.[6] As Real Madrid scramble for direction under Perez, Alonso's next move could reshape the managerial landscape.

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