Real Madrid Officially Appoints Former Liverpool Defender Álvaro Arbeloa as New Head Coach

Real Madrid has made a shocking managerial change, sacking Xabi Alonso after just seven months in charge and appointing former Liverpool defender Álvaro Arbeloa as the new head coach.[1][2][3]

The decision was announced on Monday, January 12, 2026, following a 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España. Alonso's tenure, which began in June 2025 after replacing Carlo Ancelotti (who left for the Brazil national team), started with high expectations from his unbeaten Bundesliga title win at Bayer Leverkusen. However, inconsistent results plagued Real Madrid's 2025/26 season, including a poor run of just two wins in eight games, leaving them second in La Liga (four points behind Barcelona) and seventh in the Champions League group stage with four wins and two losses in six matches.[2][3]

Real Madrid's official statement confirmed the mutual agreement to part ways with Alonso, praising him as a "Real Madrid legend" who "will always be his home."[2] Immediately after, the club named Arbeloa, Alonso's ex-teammate at Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Spain, as his successor. Arbeloa, 43, has been coaching Real Madrid Castilla (the B team) since June 2025, building his career within the club's academy since 2020. His internal promotion is seen as a stabilizing move after impressing executives.[1][2][3]

Arbeloa enjoyed a distinguished playing career, winning major titles with Liverpool (2007-2010) and Real Madrid (2010-2016). Fans and pundits hope his deep club knowledge and familiarity with Madrid's youth system will steady the ship amid mounting pressure in La Liga and Europe.[1][3]

This abrupt change underscores the intense scrutiny at the Bernabéu, with Real Madrid aiming to rebound under their new internal appointment.[2]

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