Xabi Alonso has officially stepped down as Real Madrid manager, with Arbeloa taking over the position.

2026-01-13 02:00

Real Madrid released two major official announcements today, officially confirming the change of manager for the first team.

Xabi Alonso has officially stepped down after reaching an agreement with the club, and another Real Madrid legend, Álvaro Arbeloa, has been officially appointed as the new head coach.

The announcement stated that Alonso's departure was a decision made by both parties based on a mutual agreement. Real Madrid thanked him for his professionalism and dedication during his tenure, and said affectionately, "Xabi Alonso perfectly embodied the club's values, and Real Madrid will always be his home."

Arbeloa, the successor, is a coaching talent carefully cultivated by Real Madrid's youth academy in recent years. Since 2020, Arbeloa has been deeply involved in youth training, starting from the U14 team and working his way up step by step.

Arbeloa's coaching career highlights include leading the U19 team to a treble (La Liga, Copa del Rey, Champions League) in the 2022-2023 season, and taking over Castilla (Real Madrid B team) in June 2025. Now, he has completed the ultimate leap from youth coach to first-team manager.

As a player, Arbeloa was a key member of Real Madrid's glorious era from 2009 to 2016, making 238 appearances and winning eight trophies with the team, including two Champions League titles. At the national team level, he was a double champion of the World Cup and the European Championship.