Cup Catastrophe Sparks Fan Chorus for Alonso as Arbeloa Takes Charge
15 January 2026
Cup Exit Sparks Pressure on Arbeloa
Arbeloa is in real trouble.
Fans React as Alonso’s Dismissal Looms Large
Real Madrid fans booed Álvaro Arbeloa, the new coach, after a Copa del Rey last-16 exit at Albacete, a Segunda division club.
Madrid lost in Arbeloa's first match in charge, 3-2, to Albacete, who sit 17th in the second division.
Broadcast by the famed Chiringuito show, a video captured Real Madrid fans outside the stadium chanting 'Chabi... Chabi' to protest Alonso's sacking and Arbeloa's appointment.
Key players Mbappé, Bellingham and Rodrygo were missing, yet the performance under Arbeloa remained disappointing.
Real Madrid had earlier fallen 3-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, a result that sealed Alonso's fate and paved Arbeloa's path.
With an equalizer from Gonzalo García at 90+1 followed by a goal three minutes later, Madrid bowed out of the cup.
This setback marks their second trophy loss this season after the Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, fueling Alonso's dismissal and Arbeloa's promotion.
And if progress is measured by fans' chants, Arbeloa's stock just rose—one chant closer to a career coaching hotline.
Meanwhile, the ball stays round, the defense stays porous, and press conferences will surely need subtitles.
