This is the feeling of this early evening. After many weeks during which the Spanish press announced that Xabi Alonso would play his last match for Real Madrid in the event of a defeat, the ax finally fell. Following Real Madrid’s defeat against FC Barcelona in the final of the Spanish Super Cup (3-2), Casa Blanca and Xabi Alonso have decided to officially pronounce their divorce.
“Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his mandate as first team coach. Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid supporters because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always embodied the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home. Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication during this period, and wishes them good luck for this new stage of their lives”indicated the Iberian club.
Arbeloa, like Zidane
The Merengues then did not wait to announce the name of his successor. Without too much surprise, it is Real Madrid youth coach, Alvaro Arbeloa. The name of the 42-year-old technician had already been mentioned several times when the situation began to become very tense for Alonso. Like Zinédine Zidane in 2016, the Real Madrid Castilla coach will therefore have the opportunity to prove his worth at the helm of the first team.
“Real Madrid CF announces that Álvaro Arbeloa is the new first team coach. Álvaro Arbeloa was the coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has spent his entire coaching career in the Real Madrid training center since 2020. He managed the Infantile A team in the 2020-2021 season, winning the championship, the Cadet A team in the 2021-2022 season and the Juvenile A team from 2022 to 2025. as coach of the Juvenil A team, he won the treble in 2022-2023 (championship, Copa del Rey and Champions Cup) and the championship in the 2024-2025 season. As a player, Álvaro Arbeloa was part of Real Madrid during one of the most successful periods in its history. He defended our jersey between 2009 and 2016, during 238 official matches. During this period, he won 8 titles: 2 European Cups, 1 Club World Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 1 Liga, 2 Copas del Rey and 1 Spanish Super Cup. With the Spanish national team, Álvaro Arbeloa also participated in a historic period, winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and two Euros (2008 and 2012). He was selected 56 times for the national team »indicates the press release. Arbeloa will have to get this Madrid team back on track, which is struggling to convince in the game and where egos seem to have taken over.
