Alonso's Brief Real Madrid Chapter Ends: A High-Pressure Eight-Month Ride
13 January 2026
Context of Alonso's Departure
Real Madrid announced the mutual termination of Spanish coach Xabi Alonso's contract after less than eight months in charge, following his appointment from Bayer Leverkusen in June 2025.
According to B/R Football, Alonso managed the team in 34 official matches across all competitions during his brief spell.
Alonso's Madrid Era: Quick Metrics and a Turbulent Season
He recorded 24 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses, a winning percentage of about 70.6%, among the club's higher marks for recent coaches.
Despite those numbers, Madrid's season has been a rollercoaster: they sit second in La Liga, four points behind Barcelona, and are seventh in their Champions League group.
The team also bowed out of the Club World Cup in the semi-finals after a loss to Paris Saint-Germain and dropped the Spanish Super Cup final 3-2 to Barcelona last Sunday, a result that preceded the official announcement by a day.
Aftermath and Madrid's Coaching Shuffle
The departure makes Alonso the latest Madrid coach in the modern era to leave before hitting 50 official games. The list includes Julen Lopetegui, Santiago Solari, Rafa Benítez, among others, underscoring the club's high-pressure environment for managers.
In the wake of the move, Álvaro Arbeloa, a former Real captain and Alonso's teammate, was appointed as the first-team coach after success with the Castilla side.
Madrid's rotation continues to be a talking point, as the club looks to balance a trophy-laden history with the relentless demands of modern football.
Punchline 1: In Madrid, eight months on the job is a full season in disguise—it's basically a sprint, not a marathon.
Punchline 2: If patience were a transfer, Madrid would have signed it twice by now. Maybe next season's catalogue includes 'long-term plan' as a feature.
