Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid and is replaced by another ex-Liverpool star

Xabi Alonso leaves Real Madrid and is replaced by another ex-Liverpool star

The former Liverpool midfielder has seen his time in charge of Real come to an end after just seven months

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Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has left his position as Real Madrid manager with immediate effect.

The Spanish international, who played for the Reds between 2004 and 2009, winning the Champions League and FA Cup before moving to Real, joined the Spanish giants as head coach last summer after winning the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen in 2024.

But after an unhappy spell in charge, which included a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in November, clashes with senior players and a defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final to Barcelona on Sunday, he has now been dismissed by the club.

He has been replaced by his former Liverpool and Madrid team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa, who is promoted from his position as Madrid's youth coach.

Madrid said in a statement: "Real Madrid CF announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first team coach.

"Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.

"Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire technical team for their work and dedication during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives."

In a separate statement on Arbeloa, who played for the Reds for two-and-a-half years between 2007 and 2009 before joining Real where he had come through the ranks, they said: "Real Madrid CF announces that Alvaro Arbeloa is the new first team coach.

"Alvaro Arbeloa has been the manager of Castilla since June 2025, and has spent his entire coaching career in Real Madrid's youth academy since 2020. He managed the Infantil A team in the 2020-2021 season, winning the league title, the Cadete A team in 2021-2022, and the Juvenil A team from 2022 to 2025. As Juvenil A manager, he achieved the treble in 2022-2023 (League, Copa del Rey, and Champions Cup) and the League title in the 2024-2025 season.

"As a player, Alvaro Arbeloa was part of Real Madrid during one of the most successful periods in its history. He wore our shirt between 2009 and 2016, making 238 official appearances. During that time, he won eight titles: two Champions Leagues, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title, two Copa del Rey trophies, and one Spanish Super Cup.

"With the Spanish national team, Alvaro Arbeloa was also part of a historic era, winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and two European Championships (2008 and 2012). He earned 56 caps for Spain."

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