Actual Madrid’s Spanish coach Xabi Alonso has left the membership after a troublesome stint in cost following his arrival in June. Picture: AFP/File
MADRID:
Actual Madrid mentioned on Monday coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to get replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.
After shedding the Spanish Tremendous Cup remaining towards Barcelona on Sunday the membership determined to half methods with the Basque coach, in cost for lower than eight months, and instantly appointed former Madrid participant Arbeloa who was teaching the reserve facet.
“Actual Madrid proclaims that, by mutual settlement between the membership and Xabi Alonso, it has been determined to deliver his tenure as first-team coach to an finish,” mentioned Los Blancos in a press release.
In a separate assertion Madrid then introduced Arbeloa would take Alonso’s place, with out specifying the size of the 42-year-old’s contract.
“Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025 and has developed his complete teaching profession in Actual Madrid’s academy since 2020,” mentioned Los Blancos.
Arbeloa’s first match on the helm is a Copa del Rey last-16 go to to face second-tier Albacete on Wednesday.
The Spaniard performed 238 occasions for Madrid between 2009-2016, profitable two Champions League titles and La Liga as soon as, amongst different silverware.
Arbeloa additionally lifted the World Cup with Spain in 2010, in addition to the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, taking part in alongside Alonso for membership and nation.
Alonso joined in June, changing veteran Carlo Ancelotti, however Madrid struggled to search out consistency beneath the Basque coach and are second in La Liga, 4 factors behind Barcelona.
Los Blancos had been outplayed in a 3-2 defeat in Saudi Arabia on Sunday by Hansi Flick’s facet, the 44-year-old’s final on the helm.
“It has been brief however it was a pleasure to play for you and study from you,” French celebrity Kylian Mbappe wrote on Instagram.
“I’ll bear in mind you as a supervisor who ahd clear concepts, and is aware of many issues about soccer. Better of luck for (your) subsequent chapter.”
No ‘rock’n’roll’
Alonso was near the sack in direction of the top of 2025 however a run of 5 consecutive wins saved him in his place, till the Tremendous Cup defeat.
Alonso had signed a three-season deal on the Bernabeu after leaving German facet Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he received the Bundesliga in 2024.
Actual Madrid had been thrashed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain in July within the Membership World Cup semi-finals, which was an early setback for the coach.
A 5-2 drubbing by Atletico Madrid in September was one other blow for Alonso, though it was the workforce’s solely league defeat till December.
Regardless of a Clasico win over Barcelona in October, it appeared president Florentino Perez had not absolutely warmed to Alonso, who had meant to deliver a contemporary teaching method to the workforce.
Whereas Ancelotti, who led Madrid to a few Champions League wins throughout two spells in cost, was hailed for his man-management, Alonso was appointed for his tactical nous.
Early on throughout his time in cost Alonso mentioned the “rock’n’roll” was about to start, however it by no means got here, with few entertaining attacking shows, regardless of the very good output of Mbappe, La Liga’s high scorer.
Madrid struggled by means of a run of poor kind amid an damage disaster, shedding at residence towards Celta Vigo, and away at Liverpool in Europe, in addition to drawing a number of home video games.
In that interval lots of the tactical concepts Alonso had tried to implement, together with excessive urgent, pale away, amid reviews some star gamers had fallen out with him.
Brazilian wingers Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes dropped out of shape, going a number of months with out discovering the web.
Spanish media additionally mentioned Alonso could be ousted in the event that they didn’t beat Manchester Metropolis within the Champions League in December.
Madrid misplaced towards Pep Guardiola’s facet however the efficiency sufficient of an enchancment that Alonso was given extra time to try to save his job.
Nevertheless, the defeat by Barca in Jeddah was the ultimate straw for Madrid, who agreed a take care of Alonso for him to depart.
