Real Madrid announced the major decision to end their partnership with Xabi Alonso. This decision was made a day after their 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The decision was quite surprising, considering Alonso’s position had seemed secure. A run of five wins before the final had given the coach some respite.
However, management and Alonso deemed the time to say goodbye was right. The club then appointed Alvaro Arbeloa as head coach of the first team. Arbeloa’s promotion comes after he took charge of Castilla in 2025. This move marks the beginning of a new era at the Santiago Bernabeu.
This blog on Odds96 explains the key reasons behind Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid’s decision to part ways.
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Physical Preparation Becomes a Serious Problem
Real Madrid has faced major fitness issues throughout this season. Repeated injuries have often made the team’s performance unstable.
Many players were absent during crucial periods of the competition. The team also struggled physically when facing certain opponents. This situation has sparked talk of Antonio Pintus’ return to the first-team staff. With Arbeloa in place, Florentino Perez has the potential to appoint Pintus as fitness coach.
Alonso’s relationship with the players is not harmonious
Real Madrid also believes Alonso’s relationship with several key players is strained. This tension has been building for some time. Vinicius Junior is said to have a strained relationship with his coach. Federico Valverde is also reportedly not always satisfied with his role.
Several players felt uncomfortable with Alonso’s methods. The unconducive dressing room conditions also influenced the club’s decision.
Bad Image After Defeat in the Final
Real Madrid considers their performance in the Spanish Super Cup final to be the deciding factor. The defeat to Barcelona left a negative impression on the management.
Despite Madrid having previously defeated their rivals in the same season, their performance in Saudi Arabia was deemed below the club’s standards.
Despite the tight final score, the team’s performance was considered disappointing. This factor ultimately precipitated the decision to part ways with Alonso.
June and July: Getting Over a Tough Start to the Club World Cup
Xabi Alonso began his Real Madrid career in unusual circumstances. Los Blancos went straight into the Club World Cup without a traditional pre-season. This situation gave Alonso time to adapt, even without Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. The tournament served as an initial evaluation for the squad he inherited.
Several young players, such as Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia, received significant playing time and were relied upon in the early stages of the domestic season. In the back line, new faces like Dean Huijsen and Trent Alexander-Arnold have been introduced. Alonso is trying to build a foundation for his game from the defensive end.
Although ultimately eliminated by PSG, the tournament provided an early glimpse into the team’s direction. High expectations surrounded Alonso, as the club made significant spending decisions over the summer.
September: The Madrid Derby That Changed Everything
The season started perfectly with six consecutive wins in all competitions. Real Madrid consistently won despite facing difficult situations on the pitch. But everything came crashing down against Atletico Madrid. A crushing 5-2 defeat marked the first major blemish of the Alonso era.
Madrid looked fragile and lost control of the game throughout the match. Their defence conceded a penalty and faced 13 dangerous shots. This defeat signalled the beginning of a larger problem. The team’s stability began to falter, especially in away games.
Entering November, Madrid dropped points against bottom-tier teams like Girona, Elche, and Rayo Vallecano. Meanwhile, Barcelona continued to cruise to the top of the table.
October: El Clásico and the Beginning of Internal Tensions
El Clásico in October proved a crucial turning point for Alonso. Madrid won 2-1, but only had 31.7 per cent possession. Previously, Madrid had been known for dominating possession, enjoying nearly 60% of the ball. They recorded 12 wins from their first 13 matches, showing high productivity.
After that match, the team’s performance changed drastically. Possession decreased, and results became inconsistent in LaLiga and the Champions League. The defence is becoming increasingly easy for opponents to penetrate. The number of shots faced by Thibaut Courtois has increased significantly. In that match, Vinicius Junior openly displayed his frustration when he was substituted. The moment exposed the rift in the relationship between a key player and his coach.
January: The End of Xabi Alonso’s Journey
Internal tensions have made Alonso’s position even more difficult, and comparisons with the Carlo Ancelotti era are inevitable. Ancelotti is known as a coach who is close to his players. Alonso is trying to instil new standards that aren’t always readily accepted.
At Real Madrid, ultimate power rests with Florentino Perez. The club president wields significant influence over both sporting and commercial direction. Perez was accused of favouring star players in internal conflicts. The incident with Vinicius Junior marked the beginning of the end of his trust in Alonso.
Now Alonso has left Madrid, while Arbeloa has been given time to adjust. Despite his failure at the Santiago Bernabeu, Alonso’s name remains hot on the European coaching market.
Xabi Alonso Stats at Real Madrid
Under Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid have shown consistent performances across competitions this season. The team has played 34 matches, registering 24 wins, 4 draws, and 6 defeats.
Real Madrid have scored 72 goals during this period while conceding 38, keeping 10 clean sheets in all competitions. In La Liga, they currently sit in second place, remaining firmly in the title race.
In European competition, Madrid has won four of their six UEFA Champions League matches, showing solid form at the continental level. Domestically, they finished as runners-up in the Spanish Super Cup, falling short of silverware.
On the global stage, Los Blancos reached the semi-finals of the FIFA Club World Cup, further underlining a competitive but still developing season under Alonso’s management.
FAQs
1. Did the Spanish Super Cup final influence Alonso’s exit?
Yes. The 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final was seen as the decisive moment. Despite the close scoreline, the club felt the overall performance did not meet Real Madrid’s standards.
2. What were the main problems during Xabi Alonso’s tenure?
The key issues included recurring injuries, inconsistent physical levels, defensive instability, and growing tension between Alonso and several senior players in the dressing room.
3. Which players were reportedly unhappy under Xabi Alonso?
Reports suggest Vinícius Júnior had a strained relationship with Alonso, while Federico Valverde was not always satisfied with his role. These issues contributed to an uncomfortable dressing-room atmosphere.
4. Who replaced Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid head coach?
Real Madrid appointed Álvaro Arbeloa as head coach of the first team. He was promoted after managing Castilla since 2025.
5. How did Real Madrid perform statistically under Xabi Alonso?
Under Alonso, Real Madrid played 34 matches, winning 24, drawing 4, and losing 6. The team scored 72 goals, conceded 38, kept 10 clean sheets, and finished second in La Liga.
