Real Madrid Xabi Alonso Departure 2026: Arbeloa Steps In After Super Cup Defeat

The honeymoon phase is officially over at the Bernabéu. Real Madrid announced on Monday that Xabi Alonso has left his role as head coach by mutual consent. The decision comes just six months into the season, following a crushing defeat in the Supercopa de España final. According to Reuters, the club acted swiftly to appoint reserve team coach Alvaro Arbeloa as his immediate successor.

The Fall of the Legend: Real Madrid Xabi Alonso Departure 2026

Alonso's tenure, which began with high expectations after his historic Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen, ended abruptly after a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in Jeddah. While the team won 10 of its first 11 La Liga games, the momentum stalled significantly toward the end of 2025. Rumors of a disconnect between the coach and high-profile stars like Vinicius Junior reportedly accelerated the club's decision.

Arbeloa Takes the Reins Immediately

The 42-year-old Arbeloa doesn't have much time to settle in. His first match will be this Wednesday in a Copa del Rey round-of-16 clash against Albacete. Unlike Alonso, who was brought in as a tactical visionary from outside, Arbeloa represents a return to the club's strategy of promoting from within—a move that has historically yielded success for the Los Blancos.