Real Madrid sack manager Xabi Alonso after Super Cup loss
Real Madrid have parted ways with manager Xabi Alonso following their defeat to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final last night, reports BritPanorama.
The decision comes as a surprise, given that the club’s semifinal triumph over Atletico Madrid had seemingly afforded the Spaniard additional time to steady the ship.
However, president Florentino Perez and the board opted to terminate Alonso’s tenure promptly, indicating that the loss to their Catalan rivals proved to be the final straw for the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy.
The club issued a statement paying tribute to the departing manager, lauding him as a “Real Madrid legend” and expressing gratitude for his contributions. “Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home,” the statement read.
Just moments after announcing Alonso’s departure, Real Madrid revealed that Alvaro Arbeloa would be stepping up as the new head coach. Previously in charge of Castilla, the club’s reserve team, Arbeloa’s managerial reputation has risen quickly since he began his coaching career in Madrid’s academy.
A further statement from Real Madrid confirmed Arbeloa’s credentials, detailing his successes with various youth teams. Under his management, the Juvenil A team won a treble in the 2022-2023 season and the league title in 2024-2025. His promotion reflects the club’s commitment to nurturing home-grown talent as it navigates the complexities of football in a competitive landscape.
In the aftermath of this managerial shift, questions linger about the strategic direction Real Madrid will take as it aims to reclaim dominance in both domestic and European competitions. Arbeloa’s immediate task will be to rally the squad and restore confidence following a tumultuous exit from the Super Cup.
