Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid by mutual consent after Super Cup loss

Goal reports Real Madrid announced on Jan 12, 2026 that manager Xabi Alonso has left the club by mutual consent following their Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

The club said it had 'decided to end his time as first team coach', thanked Alonso and his staff and added he will 'always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans.' Alonso had only joined last summer, and a run of poor results — including struggles in the Champions League and sitting four points behind Barcelona — had fuelled speculation about his future amid reports of dressing-room unrest.

Real Madrid named Alvaro Arbeloa as Alonso's successor, noting he has coached Castilla since June 2025 after progressing through the club's youth teams and winning a treble with the Juvenil A in 2022-23 and La Liga in 2024-25. Madrid face six matches in just over two weeks, beginning with a Copa del Rey last-16 trip to Albacete.

Key Topics

Sports, Xabi Alonso, Alvaro Arbeloa, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Spanish Super Cup