Xabi Alonso has departed Real Madrid by mutual agreement following just eight months at the helm, with the Spanish giants swiftly installing his former Liverpool teammate Alvaro Arbeloa as his successor.
The 44-year-old's tenure came to an abrupt end in the wake of Sunday's Spanish Super Cup final defeat to Barcelona, a result that proved the final straw for the club's hierarchy.
Real currently occupy second place in La Liga, trailing their Catalan rivals by four points.
Arbeloa, who has been elevated from his position managing Castilla, the club's reserve side, takes charge having never previously led a senior team.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has decided to sack Xabi Alonso
|REUTERS
Despite recording an impressive 71 per cent win rate during his spell in charge, Alonso's reign was punctuated by several damaging results that ultimately sealed his fate.
The former midfielder secured victory in 24 of his 34 matches at the Bernabeu, yet supporters turned on the team following a loss to Celta Vigo last month, with fans booing the players from the pitch.
That defeat triggered crisis talks among the club's leadership regarding Alonso's position.
A humiliating 5-2 thrashing by city rivals Atletico Madrid in September compounded matters, whilst defeats to both Liverpool and Manchester City in the Champions League further undermined his standing.
The club released a statement expressing their gratitude to the departing manager whilst acknowledging his status within the institution.
Alvaro Arbeloa has been promoted to head coach after Xabi Alonso's dismissal
|"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," the statement read.
The club added: "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."
Alonso had previously spent five years at the Bernabeu as a player before returning as manager last summer, having guided Bayer Leverkusen to a remarkable German league and cup double in 2024.
Xabi Alonso was only hired last summer, failing to last one year at Real Madrid
|REUTERS
Arbeloa arrives in the dugout with an extensive background in the club's youth development structure, having worked within Real's academy since 2020.
The 42-year-old former Spain international enjoyed particular success with the Juvenil A squad, the club's under-19s outfit.
During the 2022/23 campaign, he steered that side to a remarkable treble, claiming their domestic league title, the Copa del Rey youth tournament and the Champions Cup.
He followed that achievement by securing another league crown with the same age group last season.
The former full-back has been at the helm of Castilla since June 2025, building his entire coaching career within Madrid's system.