Real Madrid CF announced this Monday the departure of Xabi Alonso as technical director of the first team, a decision that was made “by mutual agreement between the club and the coach”, according to the official statement. The news comes just one day after the 3-2 defeat against Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which marked Alonso’s last game in charge of the merengue team.
During his time at the club, Alonso left a strong impression on both the fans and the board. In the statement, Real Madrid highlighted: “Xabi Alonso will always have the love and admiration of all Real Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.” In addition, they thanked him and his team for their work: “Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication throughout this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”
Alonso arrived at Real Madrid in June 2025, after his successful time as coach at Bayer Leverkusen, to succeed Carlo Ancelotti. It debuted on June 18 with a draw against Al-Hilal in the Club World Cup, a tournament in which the team achieved several victories before being defeated by PSG in the semifinals (4-0). During this season, he kept Real Madrid second in LaLiga EA Sports, four points behind Barcelona, with the team classified among the best eight in the group stage of the Champions League and in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. However, the defeat in the Super Cup against their historic rival precipitated their departure.
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The club immediately announced its new coach: Álvaro Arbeloa. The board highlighted that Arbeloa “has developed his entire career as a coach in the Real Madrid youth academy, since 2020”, successfully directing the Infantil A, Cadete A and Juvenil A. At the head of the Juvenil A, Arbeloa won a treble in the 2022-2023 season – League, Copa del Rey and Champions Cup – and won the League again in 2024-2025, consolidating as a trainer of young talents within the club.
In addition to his experience as a coach, Arbeloa has an outstanding record as a player. He was part of Real Madrid between 2009 and 2016, playing 238 official matches and winning eight titles: two European Cups, a Club World Cup, a European Super Cup, a Spanish League, two Copas del Rey and a Spanish Super Cup. At the international level, he was part of the Spanish team that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, being capped 56 times.
With the arrival of Arbeloa, Real Madrid is committed to the continuity of its sporting project, trusting in a coach who knows the club’s philosophy and combines experience in training young people with experience in the elite of world football. The board trusts that Arbeloa will keep the team competitive in all competitions, projecting a style consistent with the club’s historical identity.
This change marks a new chapter for Real Madrid, where the combination of legacy and renewal will seek to reinforce its prominence both in Spain and internationally. For Xabi Alonso, the door is open to new opportunities, with the recognition of the club and the fans for his contribution on and off the field.