Real Madrid end contract with Alonso, Arbeloa named new coach
Real Madrid on Monday announced that Xabi Alonso would no longer coach the club.
www.espn.comHere’s the latest on Xabi Alonso:
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Real Madrid announced on January 12, 2026, that Xabi Alonso would no longer coach the first team, with Álvaro Arbeloa taking over as head coach. This followed Madrid’s 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Supercopa de España final in Jeddah.[1]
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Prior reporting in December 2025 indicated Alonso faced heavy scrutiny at Real Madrid amid mixed results and tensions within the club, with talks about his future ongoing at that time.[2]
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For broader context, Alonso’s coaching tenure at Real Madrid came after a successful spell with Bayer Leverkusen, and reactions to his Real Madrid exit were mixed among media and supporters.[4][8]
If you’d like, I can pull more details like exact contract terms, the reasons cited by the club, or trace potential next steps for Alonso (e.g., rumored destinations or interim roles) with up-to-date sources.