Key Takeaways:
- Real Madrid announced Xabi Alonso’s exit by mutual consent on Monday, following their Spanish Supercup final defeat to Barcelona
- Alonso’s tenure lasted 232 days with 34 matches, achieving a 70.6% win rate, including a notable 2-1 El Clasico victory
- Alvaro Arbeloa has assumed managerial duties on an interim basis, with the duration of his role yet to be confirmed
Managerial Change at the Santiago Bernabéu
Real Madrid have officially parted company with manager Xabi Alonso after only seven months in charge, the decision coming immediately after the team’s 3-1 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Supercup final. Alonso, who replaced Carlo Ancelotti in June after making the switch from Bayer Leverkusen, struggled to effect a significant improvement in the team’s performances during his brief spell in the Spanish capital.
Under Alonso’s leadership, Real Madrid progressed to the Club World Cup semi-finals, where they suffered a comprehensive defeat, and recently fell short in the Spanish Supercup final. The club finds itself in second place in La Liga, trailing Barcelona by four points, and currently sit seventh in their Champions League group table with two matches remaining.
🚨 It’s a SAD DAY at Real Madrid.
The club always saw Xabi Alonso as the PERFECT man to begin a new era at Real Madrid since 2 or 3 years ago, to bring something fresh & different.
It’s a big disappointment to Florentino Pérez, the management, everyone. @FabrizioRomano pic.twitter.com/fLUSZ1Vjyp
— Madrid Xtra (@MadridXtra) January 12, 2026
Official Club Statement and Arbeloa’s Appointment
The club issued an official statement on Monday evening, only hours after returning from the Supercup final defeat in Spain:
Real Madrid C.F. announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his tenure as first-team coach.
Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always embodied 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 during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.
Shortly after confirming Alonso’s exit, Real Madrid unveiled Castilla coach Alvaro Arbeloa as the interim manager, though the exact length of his contract remains unspecified. It is widely believed that Arbeloa, who enjoys strong backing from within the club and especially president Florentino Perez, will remain at the helm until the season’s conclusion.
Assessing Alonso’s Tenure: Results and Standout Matches
| Tenure Days | Matches | Wins | Draws | Losses | Win% | Goals For | Goals Against | Biggest Win | Heaviest Defeat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 232 | 34 | 24 | 4 | 6 | 70.6% | 76 | 24 | 5-0 vs Kairat Almaty | 0-4 vs Paris Saint-Germain |
During his 232-day spell, Alonso took charge of 34 matches, winning 24, drawing 4 and losing 6. His win rate stood at 70.6%, with the team netting 76 goals and conceding 24. Statistically, his most emphatic result was a 5-0 victory over Kairat Almaty, while the 2-1 triumph against Barcelona in El Clasico is likely to be remembered most fondly by supporters.
The most significant defeats included a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain and a stinging 5-2 reversal at the hands of Atletico Madrid. Results against high-profile opposition are understood to have played a role in the club’s decision.
Behind the Decision: Mutual Consent
Notably, sources inside the club indicated prior to the official statement that Real Madrid had not initially intended to dismiss Alonso following the Supercup defeat. The language of the announcement and background briefings suggest that both the former Liverpool midfielder and the club’s hierarchy mutually agreed there was limited value in continuing under the current arrangement.
