It’s now official: Xabi Alonso is no longer the coach of real Madrid. While he seemed set to keep his position after being weakened at the end of 2025, the Spanish technician did not survive the disillusionment of another Spanish Super Cup final lost against rival Barcelona on Sunday (2-3).
“Real Madrid CF communicates that Xabi Alonso and the club have made a joint decision to end their collaboration, can we read in an official press release from Real. Xabi Alonso still arouses the admiration of all Madridistas as a player and then coach because he is a Real Madrid legend and he represents all the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be at home. Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and all his technical staff for his full-time work and dedication, and the desire is much stronger in this new stage of his life. »
Words that will struggle to alleviate the feeling of failure for a technician considered one of the rising values of European football. Propelled to the White House bench last summer to succeed the pragmatic Carlo Ancelotti, Xabi Alonso had to bring his tactical precepts and build a game project based on a strong collective. His achievements at Bayer Leverkusen, with a German championship title considered a real feat, were not enough. Faced with a poorly constructed squad eaten up by egos, the former midfielder lacked time and support.
Arbeloa propelled onto the Real bench
Direct consequence: Real Madrid has bet on Alvaro Arbeloa to take over this season. “ Real Madrid CF announces that Álvaro Arbeloa is the new coach of the first team. Álvaro Arbeloa was the coach of Castilla from June 2025, and was promoted throughout his coaching career to Real Madrid teams, starting in 2020.”
Former emblematic player of the White House, the 2010 world champion (56 caps with La Roja) will take on a very complicated challenge, without having the experience of the high level in his new life as coach. A risky bet for Florentino Perez, who is no longer apart from one inconsistency.
