Real Madrid Officially Fire Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid has shockingly dismissed manager Xabi Alonso after less than eight months in charge, following a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia. The club announced the decision on Monday, describing it as a "mutual agreement" to end his tenure as first-team coach.[1][2][3]

Alonso, a Real Madrid legend who played for the club from 2009 to 2014, returned last summer 2025 to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who departed for the Brazil national team ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Despite his triumphant Bundesliga title win with Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso struggled to replicate that success at the Bernabéu. In around 30 matches across all competitions, he recorded 20-22 wins, 3-4 draws, and 5 defeats, with losses mainly against top teams like Liverpool, Manchester City in the Champions League, Barcelona in the Super Cup, and Atlético Madrid and Celta Vigo in La Liga.[1][2][3]

Currently second in La Liga, four points behind leaders Barcelona, and seventh in the Champions League group stage (4 wins, 2 losses), Madrid's form faltered amid injuries to key players like Éder Militão (out for a month), Antonio Rüdiger (missed the Super Cup), and Kylian Mbappé not being at full fitness. Reports highlighted dressing room unrest, with players not fully buying into Alonso's methods, and a prior incident where Vinícius Júnior publicly disrespected him after a substitution in a Clásico win, straining relations with club president Florentino Pérez.[1][3][4]

The official club statement praised Alonso as a "Real Madrid legend" who "always represented our values," wishing him and his staff well. Immediately after, Madrid appointed Álvaro Arbeloa, the successful Castilla reserve team coach since June 2025, as interim head coach. Speculation lingers about potential targets like Jürgen Klopp, but Arbeloa steps up amid the club's ongoing saga under Pérez's 21-year reign—Alonso is the tenth sacked manager without completing a year.[2][3]

Critics argue the sacking ignores deeper issues like injuries and egos in a star-studded squad, rather than solely blaming Alonso, who had recently steadied the ship with wins over Sevilla, Betis, and Atlético.[1][4]