Real Madrid have sacked head coach Xabi Alonso following their 3–2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
The decision was confirmed on 12 January 2026 and comes just seven months after Alonso took charge of the team. The club thanked him and his staff for their efforts during his tenure.
Alonso’s time at Real Madrid was marked by inconsistent results, and the high-profile loss in the El Clásico prompted the club to make the change.
Álvaro Arbeloa, a former player and then Castilla coach, has been appointed as Alonso’s replacement to lead the first team for the remainder of the season.
Real Madrid also paid tribute to Alonso, saying he will always have the “affection and admiration of all Madridistas.”
