Manager Alonso leaves Real Madrid after eight months

Xabi Alonso left his position as Real Madrid coach after only eight months in charge, with his former Liverpool teammate Alvaro Arbeloa taking over.

The Spanish club said that former Bayer Leverkusen coach Alonso (44 years old) left his position “by mutual consent” and minutes later announced the appointment of Arbeloa.

The former Spain and Real Madrid full-back has been promoted from coaching Real Madrid’s second team.

Real Madrid lost to its rival Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday and is four points behind Barcelona in the Spanish League.

Alonso – who spent five years as a player with Real Madrid – won the German League title with Leverkusen in 2024 and replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabéu last summer.

A club statement said: “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Real Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and always represents the values ​​of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.”

“Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their work and dedication throughout this time, and wishes them good luck in this new phase of their lives.”

Arbeloa has been coaching the club’s youth team since 2020, but has never coached a senior team before.

Alonso won 24 of the 34 matches he played with Real Madrid, but his team was subjected to boos after the defeat by Celta Vigo last month, a loss that led to an emergency meeting of the club’s management to discuss Alonso’s future.

They suffered a heavy 5-2 defeat to city rivals Atletico in September and lost to both Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League.

BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balago said there was a “clash between the coach who has a clear methodology and the players who want to rely on instinct”.