Real Madrid made waves in world football on January 12, 2026, by announcing the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso and the immediate promotion of Álvaro Arbeloa as his successor. The decision came just a day after a dramatic 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Supercopa final, a result that accelerated the end of Alonso’s short tenure at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Alonso, a club legend and one of Europe’s most promising young managers, leaves by mutual agreement after roughly eight months in charge. Despite early victories and high hopes following his successful spell with Bayer Leverkusen, Real Madrid’s form dipped, including in La Liga and the UEFA Champions League, which, coupled with tactical disagreements and a failure to deliver silverware, ultimately cost him his job.
The club nonetheless praised his dedication and influence, acknowledging that he will always be respected by the Madrid faithful for representing the club’s core values.
Álvaro Arbeloa’s appointment signals continuity with the sporting model Alonso implemented rather than a full overhaul. Having spent his entire coaching career within Real Madrid’s youth structure, from Infantil A to Juvenil A and Castilla, he’s a trusted figure in the club’s development pipeline. His tenure at the youth levels was decorated with championships, including a treble with the Juvenil A side, and has solidified his reputation as a coach capable of nurturing talent and enforcing tactical discipline.
