Real Madrid Appoints New Head Coach

2026-01-13 02:46:56

(MENAFN) Real Madrid announced Monday that Xabi Alonso has departed his position as first-team manager through mutual agreement, concluding a remarkably brief stint of under eight months at the helm.

The Spanish football powerhouse released a statement declaring: "Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club."

The club added: "Real Madrid will always be his home."

The separation comes just one day after Barcelona defeated Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, marking a painful conclusion to Alonso's short-lived managerial tenure.

In a simultaneous announcement, the club confirmed Alvaro Arbeloa—Alonso's former teammate at Real Madrid, Liverpool, and on Spain's national squad—will assume control as his replacement.

The club's statement detailed Arbeloa's credentials: "Alvaro Arbeloa has been the coach of Castilla since June 2025, and has spent his entire coaching career in Real Madrid's youth academy since 2020."

Arbeloa will make his managerial debut Wednesday when Real Madrid travels to face Albacete in a Copa del Rey round-of-16 encounter.

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