Madrid: Real Madrid has ended its partnership with Xabi Alonso and promoted B team managerlvaro Arbeloa to lead the first team, the club announced Monday. Alonso’s stint lasted less than eight months and concluded a day after a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the club stated that the decision to part ways was mutual, emphasizing that Alonso “will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas.” The statement extended gratitude to Alonso’s coaching staff for their efforts during his tenure.
Alonso took over from Carlo Ancelotti last May with high expectations but faced challenges in maintaining consistent performances. His time as manager was marked by reported conflicts with players such as Vincius Jºnior and locker room tensions. Following the recent loss in Jeddah, a disagreement about performing a guard of honor for Barcelona highlighted the friction between Alonso and key players, including Kylian Mbapp©.
Mbapp© was the first to publicly thank Alonso on Instagram, commending his leadership and ideas. While several other players expressed gratitude, Vincius did not post a farewell message. Under Alonso’s leadership, Real Madrid played 34 matches, winning 24, drawing four, and losing six. Despite a victory over Barcelona in the season’s first clasico, Real Madrid trails the Blaugrana by four points at the halfway point of La Liga. The team is set to face Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Wednesday.
lvaro Arbeloa, 42, a former teammate of Alonso at Madrid and Spain, brings a decorated playing career to his new role. He won eight titles with Real Madrid, including two Champions League trophies, and was part of Spain’s 2010 World Cup and two European Championship-winning teams. Arbeloa has managed the B team since June and previously coached youth squads.
Alonso, 44, also had a storied playing career at Madrid, winning six titles between 2009-2014, including the 2014 Champions League. He also led Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga and German Cup double after taking over the struggling club.
Real Madrid hopes that Arbeloa can stabilize the team and guide it toward domestic and European success.