In a shocking turn of events, Xabi Alonso has parted ways with Real Madrid, merely seven months after taking the reins as the club's coach. The decision, announced on Monday evening, comes on the heels of Madrid's 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Alonso's departure marks the end of a tumultuous period, during which the team's performance failed to impress, despite initial promise.
Alonso's successor, at least in the short term, will be Álvaro Arbeloa, a former Real Madrid and Liverpool teammate and friend. Arbeloa, who has been coaching Madrid's B team, Castilla, will take the helm, bringing a sense of familiarity and continuity to the club. The appointment is seen as a temporary solution, with the club likely to seek a more permanent replacement in the coming weeks.
The writing was on the wall for Alonso, whose tenure was marred by a string of lackluster performances. The team's 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League in early November marked the beginning of a decline, with Madrid managing only two victories in eight games. The defeat also saw the team's five-point lead over Barcelona at the top of the La Liga table evaporate, replaced by a four-point deficit. Despite some improvement in results, the team's overall performance failed to convince, and the final straw came with the defeat to Barcelona in the Super Cup final.
Alonso's arrival at the Santiago Bernabéu was initially met with excitement and optimism. The former midfielder was hailed as a modern, systems manager, having enjoyed success at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga, the German cup, and reached the final of the Europa League. However, his time at Madrid was marked by controversy, including a public feud with star player Vinícius Júnior. The Brazilian's storming off the pitch after being substituted in a game against Barcelona was a particularly low point, with Vinícius later apologizing to everyone except Alonso.The club's failure to reinforce Alonso's authority and provide adequate support ultimately contributed to his downfall. Despite conversations aimed at improving relationships internally, the tension between Alonso and Vinícius Júnior never truly dissipated. The team's performances on the pitch also failed to improve, with Madrid suffering defeats to Celta, Manchester City, and ultimately, Barcelona in the Super Cup final.
Real Madrid C.F. announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his tenure as first-team coach. Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always embodied the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.
Alonso's departure marks the end of a disappointing chapter in Madrid's history. The team's poor performance under his guidance has raised questions about the club's recruitment process and the suitability of Alonso for the role. With Arbeloa taking the helm, at least temporarily, the club will hope to stabilize and rebuild ahead of a crucial period in the season.
Arbeloa's appointment is seen as a safe pair of hands, given his experience coaching in the Madrid setup since 2020. The former player came through the ranks at Madrid but made only a handful of appearances before leaving for Deportivo La Coruña. He later joined Liverpool, where he played alongside Alonso, before returning to Madrid in 2009. Arbeloa made 238 appearances for the club, winning eight trophies, including two Champions Leagues.
As Madrid looks to the future, the club will hope that Arbeloa can provide a sense of stability and calm, allowing the team to regroup and refocus ahead of a crucial period in the season. With the La Liga title still within reach, albeit slim, and the Champions League knockout stages looming, the club will be eager to find a sense of rhythm and consistency under their new coach.
Original: The Guardian
Image: The Guardian
Written by Npsports
