Image Credits: Imago Images
Xabi Alonso has resigned as Real Madrid manager after just eight months. The 44-year-old, who previously managed Bayer Leverkusen, left the club by mutual consent. Real Madrid recently lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup and currently trail the Catalans by four points in La Liga.
Alonso, who spent five years at Real as a player, won the Bundesliga with Leverkusen in 2024 before replacing Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu last summer.
Alonso won 24 of his 34 games in charge of Real Madrid, but his team were booed off the pitch following a defeat to Celta Vigo last month – a loss that prompted an emergency meeting among the club’s hierarchy to discuss his future
Following Alonso’s exit, former Liverpool teammate Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as Real Madrid’s new manager. He has been coaching the club’s youth teams since 2020.
A club statement read: Real Madrid C. F. would like to announce that Álvaro Arbeloa will be the new first team coach. Álvaro Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025, and has spent his entire coaching career in Real Madrid’s youth academy since 2020.
“He coached the Under-14s A in the 2020-2021 season, winning the league title, the Under-16s in the 2021-2022 season and the Under-19s from 2022 to 2025.
“As coach of the Under-19s, he won the treble in the 2022-2023 season (League, Copa del Rey and Champions Cup) and the League in the 2024-2025 season.
“As a player, Álvaro Arbeloa was part of Real Madrid in one of the most successful periods of its history. He defended our shirt between 2009 and 2016, in 238 official matches.
“During that time he won 8 trophies: 2 European Cups, 1 Club World Cup, 1 Uefa Super Cup, 1 LaLiga title, 2 Copa del Rey trophies and 1 Spanish Super Cup.
“With the Spanish national team, Álvaro Arbeloa was also part of a historic era, in which he won the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and 2 European Championships (2008 and 2012). He was capped 56 times.”
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