On Monday, January 12, 2026, Real Madrid officially dismissed Xabi Alonso as head coach. The decision was swift and forceful, following a turbulent period in the directors’ box. The dismissal reportedly cost the club nearly €70 million in a mutual agreement.
Real Madrid: The End of the Xabi Alonso Era
- Loss of Authority and the “Guard of Honor” Incident: The definitive reason occurred after the Super Cup final. Alonso ordered his players to form a guard of honor for the opponents. This order was ignored by the squad, led by Kylian Mbappé, who walked off the pitch instead. For Florentino Pérez, this public contradiction confirmed that Alonso had completely lost control of the locker room.
- Lack of Institutional Alignment: The board was dissatisfied with Alonso’s “lukewarm” public persona. Florentino expected a forceful, “Mourinho-style” defense of the club during media tensions (such as his clash with Pep Guardiola), but Alonso chose a conciliatory tone that didn’t align with the club’s official discourse.
- Media Disconnect: Alonso reportedly felt uncomfortable following the script provided by the club regarding refereeing and the editorial line of Real Madrid TV, leading to a visible distance between him and the board.
Real Madrid’s Immediate Replacement After Xabi Alonso’s Departure
- Álvaro Arbeloa (42) has been officially named the new head coach. He is set to make his debut in Valdebebas tomorrow.
- Jurgen Klopp remains the long-term favorite for Florentino Pérez, with reports suggesting he is already preparing for a potential arrival in the summer.
