Xabi Alonso Leaves Real Madrid After Brief Tenure Following Super Cup Defeat
Xabi Alonso's Departure from Real Madrid
On January 12, Xabi Alonso, the Spanish manager and former football star, ended his brief seven-month tenure with Real Madrid. His departure followed a disappointing loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup Final held at King Abdullah Sport City Stadium in Jeddah on January 11.
Alonso's position at the Santiago Bernabeu became precarious as Real Madrid struggled with a series of poor performances, suffering significant defeats in key tournaments, including losses to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup, Atletico Madrid in La Liga, and Liverpool and Manchester City in 2025. In total, the team managed only two victories in eight matches during the last year, which put Alonso's future in jeopardy.
The Impact of the Super Cup Final
The match against Barcelona was viewed as a critical juncture for Alonso, with club officials considering the outcome as a decisive evaluation of his management. The defeat against their long-standing rivals ultimately marked the end of his time at Real Madrid.
Alonso's Ambitious Return to Real Madrid
Having previously played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2014, Alonso returned to the club as a manager filled with aspirations, especially after his successful coaching stint at Bayern Leverkusen, where he led the team to their first Bundesliga title, German Cup, and Super Cup, maintaining an impressive unbeaten streak of 51 matches.
Despite the optimism surrounding his appointment, Alonso's inability to meet the high expectations of the club and its supporters led to an unexpected conclusion to his anticipated era at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Official Statement from Real Madrid
Real Madrid released an official statement confirming Alonso's departure was by mutual consent, recognizing him as a 'Real Madrid Legend.' The statement expressed, "Xabi Alonso will always hold the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans as he embodies the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home."
Alonso's Predecessor and Challenges Faced
Alonso took over from Carlo Ancelotti, who left in May 2025 to coach the Brazil national team after a successful tenure. However, Ancelotti's final year was marked by inconsistent results, prompting the club to seek a new direction.
The hope was that Alonso's modern tactics and previous success would rejuvenate the team, but his inconsistent performance and heavy losses led to his early dismissal.
Fan Reactions to Alonso's Exit
Alonso's departure sparked immediate reactions from football fans globally. Many viewed the Super Cup Final loss as the final blow to his short tenure, igniting a heated debate among supporters.
On social media, opinions were sharply divided; some criticized the club's decision as hasty, while others praised Alonso's professionalism and acknowledged the challenging circumstances he faced.
Alonso's Record at Real Madrid
During his time at Real Madrid, Alonso managed the team in 34 matches, achieving 24 wins, 6 losses, and 4 draws across all competitions, including La Liga and the Champions League. At the time of his exit, the team was second in La Liga with 45 points, trailing Barcelona by four points. In the Champions League, they were seventh with 12 points from six matches, amidst reports of discord in the dressing room involving senior players.
Alvaro Arbeloa Takes Over as Manager
Following Alonso's departure, Real Madrid appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as the new head coach. Arbeloa, who had two stints with the club from 2005 to 2009 and 2009 to 2016, played a crucial role in securing multiple titles, including two Champions League trophies.
After retiring from professional football, Arbeloa returned to Real Madrid in 2020, where he began his coaching career in the youth academy. His first challenge as head coach will be to lead the team in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 against Albacete, aiming to recover from the recent Super Cup defeat.