Nagore Aranburu's relationship with the former Reds midfielder dates back to when they both lived in Liverpool
Nagore Aranburu and Xabi Alonso last September
Nagore Aranburu and Xabi Alonso last September(Image: Instagram/@nagore.aranburu )
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Xabi Alonso's wife has issued a statement after he departed Real Madrid. The 44-year-old former Liverpool FC midfielder left the helm of Los Blancos yesterday (Monday, January 12) after seven-and-a-half months in charge.
Alonso's departure was confirmed after Real Madrid were defeated in the Spanish Super Cup final 3-2 by Barcelona. A club statement read: “Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as coach of the first team.
“Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all madridismo because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.
“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.”
Away from the pitch, Alonso has been married to his wife, Nagore Aranburu, for 15 years and the two share three children. Nagore has taken to Instagram today to react to her husband's departure from Madrid.
A translation of the post said: "Today we bid farewell to the Bernabéu. Xabi, we are so proud of you and the work you have done every day, always from respect and commitment.
"My children and I have accompanied Xabi and the club at all times with excitement and gratitude Thanks to all the Madrid fans who have trusted us and who have brought us so much love. Your messages have meant a lot."
Alonso took to the comments and shared a heart emoji alongside MZ in response. Nagore was Alonso's partner when he made the move to the Reds in 2004.
Former LFC teammate Peter Crouch shared the awkward story when he first met his new teammate's wife at the Hope Street Hotel. In his column in the Daily Mail, he said: "On signing for Liverpool I stayed at the Hope Street Hotel. On reception was a girl so good-looking I couldn't quite believe she was smiling at me all the time.
"I told the lads in training, 'honestly, she's beautiful, I think I've got a shout here.' Jamie Carragher called a few other senior players over, 'tell them again, Crouchie.'
"So I did, 'amazing. Dark-haired. Spanish-looking. I'm in there.' It turned out she was Xabi Alonso's partner. She was doing a bit of work to practice her language skills. He was nice about it. So was she. Carra less so."
Alonso is still fondly remembered for his time in Liverpool and the feeling is mutual as he enjoyed returning to some of his favourite spots when he returned to Merseyside as Bayer Leverkusen manager in 2024. Ahead of a Champions League tie against Liverpool last season, Alonso went on a run in the city where he took in some of his favourite spots.
Speaking on CBS Sports, he said: "It was good to see my old house, the old street, the old coffees [shops] where I used to go." Alonso was speaking about his run to former teammate and CBS pundit Jamie Carragher, as he said: "I know that you are the boss in the city so I couldn't get out of [away from] you!"
This was in response to Carragher talking about how they were texting earlier that morning as he said: "I had my spies out watching him, keeping an eye on him, making sure he was okay."