By Our Reporter
Xabi Alonso has left his role as Real Madrid manager after just eight months in charge, with the club confirming that Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as his replacement.
In a statement on Monday, Real Madrid said Alonso departed by “mutual consent.” Minutes later, the club announced that Arbeloa, a former Spain international and Real Madrid defender, had been promoted from the club’s B team to take over the senior side.
Alonso, 44, replaced Carlo Ancelotti last summer after guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title in 2024. During his brief spell at the Santiago Bernabeu, he won 24 of his 34 matches in charge.
However, recent results piled pressure on the former midfielder. Real Madrid were beaten by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday and currently trail their rivals by four points in La Liga. The team was also booed off the pitch following a defeat by Celta Vigo last month, a result that reportedly triggered high-level talks about Alonso’s future.
The club also suffered a heavy 5–2 loss to Atletico Madrid earlier in the season and endured defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League.
In a farewell message, Real Madrid praised Alonso’s contribution, describing him as a club legend who “has always represented the values of our institution,” and wished him success in the next phase of his career.
Arbeloa, who has worked within Real Madrid’s youth setup since 2020, will be taking charge of a senior team for the first time in his coaching career.