By Olukayode Olumuyiwa.
In a swift and surprising move, Real Madrid announced the departure of head coach Xabi Alonso on January 12, 2026, just one day after a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The club described the split as a “mutual agreement,” but sources close to the matter indicate it was an outright sacking prompted by underwhelming performances, a persistent injury crisis, tactical shortcomings, and simmering tensions within the squad. Alonso’s entire coaching staff has also been let go, with veteran Italian physiotherapist Antonio Pintus reinstated to address the team’s fitness woes.
Alonso, a beloved former Real Madrid midfielder and club legend, took the helm in May 2025 following Carlo Ancelotti’s exit. Fresh off guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga triumph, expectations were sky-high for the 44-year-old Basque tactician. However, his stint at the Bernabéu lasted a mere seven months, yielding 22 wins, 4 draws, and 5 losses across all competitions. At the time of his dismissal, Los Blancos trailed the LaLiga leaders by four points, had clinched a top-eight spot in the UEFA Champions League, and were preparing for a Copa del Rey round-of-32 clash against Albacete on January 14.
The cracks began to show early. Alonso repeatedly voiced frustration over the lack of a creative midfielder to bring “clarity” to the team’s possession play, a request that went unheeded in the transfer market. Former club president Ramón Calderón lambasted the board for inadequate preseason preparation and recruitment, which he believes amplified the injury epidemic plaguing the squad. Reports suggest Alonso’s attempts to transplant his successful Leverkusen tactics fell flat, creating a rift with players accustomed to a different style. Player egos reportedly played a role, with a viral video showing some squad members snubbing a guard of honor for their coach, signaling a potential loss of dressing room control. In a dramatic twist, star forward Kylian Mbappé allegedly pushed to feature in the Super Cup despite fitness doubts, aiming to salvage Alonso’s position.
The Super Cup final proved the final straw. This marks the 10th instance under president Florentino Pérez where a manager has been ousted without completing a full year in charge, highlighting the club’s unforgiving pursuit of silverware.
In an official statement, Real Madrid declared: “Real Madrid CF announces that by mutual agreement with Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to put an end to his time as first team coach.” Mere minutes later, the club unveiled Álvaro Arbeloa as Alonso’s successor. The 43-year-old former Madrid defender and Alonso’s ex-teammate has been elevated from coaching the reserve side, Castilla, where he notched successes in youth tournaments. Arbeloa hit the ground running at the Valdebebas training ground, with Pintus by his side to tackle the fitness crisis. Analysts have dubbed the appointment a “shock” and a “panic measure,” questioning Arbeloa’s preparedness for the high-stakes role.
Reactions poured in swiftly. Alonso addressed the news on social media, thanking the club and fans without delving into specifics. Supporters and experts decried the decision, arguing it masks systemic problems like squad imbalances and Pérez’s top-down management. Barcelona faithful reveled in the chaos, jesting that it’s “another Real Madrid coach sacked due to FC Barcelona.” Speculation swirls around Alonso’s future, with Newcastle United expressing interest and whispers of a Liverpool return.
Arbeloa’s baptism by fire comes against Albacete in the Copa del Rey, with skeptics wagering he may not survive beyond a handful of matches.
This episode reaffirms Real Madrid’s cutthroat ethos under Pérez: trophies above all, no room for patience in long-term visions. As the dust settles, the spotlight turns to whether Arbeloa can steady the ship or if more turbulence lies ahead for the Galácticos.
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