In a shocking turn of events, Real Madrid has officially dismissed Xabi Alonso following the club’s Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona. Club legend Álvaro Arbeloa has been promoted from Castilla to lead the first team for the remainder of the 2025/26 season.
The decision, announced via an official club statement on Monday afternoon, comes after weeks of growing tension at the Santiago Bernabéu. Despite his legendary status as a player, Alonso’s tactical project failed to stabilize the team in the shadow of a dominant Barcelona, leading Florentino Pérez to pull the trigger mid-season.
The Official Statement
Real Madrid confirmed the departure was a “mutual agreement,” stating:
“Real Madrid C.F. announces that it has been decided to terminate the contract of Xabi Alonso. The club thanks Xabi and his staff for their dedication and wishes them the best of luck. Real Madrid will always be his home.”
The Arbeloa Era Begins
Álvaro Arbeloa, who has been impressing with Real Madrid Castilla since June 2025, takes over immediately. Known for his “Madridismo” and tactical discipline, Arbeloa is seen as the “Zidane-style” internal solution to fix a fractured dressing room.
The new manager faces a daunting challenge with no time to settle:
- The Debut: Arbeloa will lead the team this Wednesday (Jan 14) in a must-win Copa del Rey clash away at Albacete.
- La Liga Title Race: Real Madrid currently sits in 2nd place with 45 points, trailing Barcelona by four points. Arbeloa’s first league test will be against Levante this Saturday.
- Champions League Mission: Currently 7th in the new league phase format, Real Madrid’s priority remains a deep run in the knockout stages.
Why Xabi Alonso Failed?
Despite high expectations, Alonso’s Real Madrid struggled for consistency. The 4-point gap in La Liga and the third consecutive Super Cup loss to Barcelona proved fatal. Insiders suggest that the “regret” over Ferland Mendy’s renewal and the lack of January reinforcements created a rift between the coach and the board.
