By Michael Okosi
Real Madrid have announced the decision to terminate the contract of manager Xabi Alonso by mutual consent.
The shocking news comes following the Spanish Super Cup final defeat to perennial rivals Barcelona on Sunday night.
The termination of Alonso’s contract had been rumoured in recent weeks as relationship between the former Galactico and some players especially Vunicious Junior.
Alonso was in charge of the 15-time European champions for only eight months and will now be replaced by his former Liverpool team-mate Alvaro Arbeloa.
Arbeloa was in charge of the Real Madrid B side until his recent appointment.
Real Madrid could sign Xabi Alonso
The La Liga giants wrote on their social media handles that former Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso, 44, had left by “mutual consent” with Arbeloa’s appointment announced afterwards.
Real also trail Barca by four points in La Liga.
Alonso – who spent five years with Real as a player – won the Bundesliga with Leverkusen in 2024 and replaced Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu last summer.
A club statement said: “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 coaching staff for their work and dedication throughout this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”
Arbeloa has been coaching the club’s youth team since 2020 but has not managed a senior side before.
Xabi Alonso will now emerge as a leading contender for vacant coaching positions like that of Manchester United or even Liverpool if current manager Arne Slot loses his job for indifferent results in the English Premier League.
