Real Madrid announce Xabi Alonso successor as ex-Liverpool man takes charge at Santiago Bernabeu

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Alvaro Arbeloa, head coach of Real Madrid Castilla, looks on during the Premier League International Cup match between Manchester City and Real Madrid Castilla at Joie Stadium on December 16, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)

Alvaro Arbeloa will take charge of the Real Madrid first-team (Image credit: Getty Images)

Real Madrid have acted decisively following their Super Cup defeat by arch-rivals Barcelona.

First-team boss Xabi Alonso has left the club with Real Madrid's best wishes following the result.

Alvaro Arbeloa replaces Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid boss

JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA - JANUARY 10: Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso holds a press conference in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, ahead of the Spanish Super Cup final to be played against Barcelona, on January 10, 2026. (Photo by Ismael Adnan Yaqoob/Anadolu via Getty Images) — Xabi Alonso is no longer Real Madrid manager (Image credit: Getty Images)

According to the club's official website, Alonso and Real Madrid reached a 'mutual agreement' to end his time in the dugout.

"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", a statement read.

Santiago Bernabeu, 2025 (Image credit: Getty Images)

"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."

As a result, a decision has been taken to appoint a former Liverpool defender and one of Alonso's ex-teammates as his replacement.

Alvaro Arbeloa comes in as first-team boss at Santiago Bernabeu, stepping up from the club's Real Madrid Castilla 'B' team.

An official Real Madrid communication read: "Álvaro Arbeloa has been the manager of Castilla since June 2025, and has spent his entire coaching career in Real Madrid's youth academy since 2020. He managed the Infantil A team in the 2020-2021 season, winning the league title, the Cadete A team in 2021-2022, and the Juvenil A team from 2022 to 2025.

"As Juvenil A manager, he achieved the treble in 2022-2023 (League, Copa del Rey, and Champions Cup) and the League title in the 2024-2025 season."

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Joe joined FourFourTwo as senior digital writer in July 2025 after five years covering Leeds United in the Championship and Premier League. Joe's 'Mastermind' specialist subject is 2000s-era Newcastle United having had a season ticket at St. James' Park for 10 years before relocating to Leeds and later London. Joe takes a keen interest in youth football, covering PL2, U21 Euros, as well as U20 and U17 World Cups in the past, in addition to hosting the industry-leading football recruitment-focused SCOUTED podcast. He is also one of the lucky few to have 'hit top bins' as a contestant on Soccer AM. It wasn't a shin-roller.

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Alvaro Arbeloa replaces Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid boss