Xabi Alonso has stepped down from his position as manager of Real Madrid, just hours after losing the Super Cup to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia.
Real Madrid release a statement this afternoon to announce the departure of the former Bayer Leverkusen manager:
Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time 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 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 during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.
Alvaro Arbeloa To Take Charge
The Spanish giants also immediately announce that former player and reserve coach Alvaro Arbeloa will take over the role as Real Madrid’s manager:
Real Madrid CF announces that Álvaro Arbeloa is the new first team coach.
Álvaro Arbeloa has been the manager of Castilla since June 2025, and has spent his entire coaching career in Real Madrid’s youth academy since 2020. He managed the Infantil A team in the 2020-2021 season, winning the league title, the Cadete A team in 2021-2022, and the Juvenil A team from 2022 to 2025. As Juvenil A manager, he achieved the treble in 2022-2023 (League, Copa del Rey, and Champions Cup) and the League title in the 2024-2025 season.
As a player, Álvaro Arbeloa was part of Real Madrid during one of the most successful periods in its history. He wore our shirt between 2009 and 2016, making 238 official appearances. During that time, he won eight titles: two Champions Leagues, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title, two Copa del Rey trophies, and one Spanish Super Cup.
Arbeloa will take charge of his first game as a Real Madrid manager away against Albacete in the Copa del Rey before facing Levante and Monaco in La Liga and UEFA Champions League respectively at the Bernabéu.
