What's happened
Real Madrid dismissed Xabi Alonso after less than a year, citing poor results and internal issues. He is replaced by former player Álvaro Arbeloa, who aims to restore team harmony and focus on player expression amid recent losses and conflicts, including a high-profile fallout with Vinicius Junior.
What's behind the headline?
The firing of Alonso underscores Madrid's relentless pursuit of success and intolerance for underperformance. Despite his pedigree, Alonso's tenure revealed the difficulty of translating a successful playing career into coaching at a top club. The public fallout with Vinicius highlights the importance of squad harmony, which Madrid views as critical to winning titles.
This move signals a shift towards a more familiar, club-oriented approach, with Arbeloa, a former player, expected to restore stability. The club's focus on internal relationships and immediate results suggests that Madrid will prioritize short-term success over long-term development. The decision also reflects the high stakes of managing a star-studded squad where egos and expectations are immense.
Looking ahead, Arbeloa's challenge will be to manage the egos of players like Bellingham and Mbappé while fostering team cohesion. His familiarity with the club and players could provide the stability needed to regain top form, but success is not guaranteed. The club's future hinges on his ability to balance individual talent with collective effort, especially after a turbulent start to the season.
What the papers say
The articles from Al Jazeera and AP News provide a detailed account of Alonso's departure, emphasizing the club's dissatisfaction with recent results and internal conflicts. AP News highlights Alonso's initial promise and subsequent struggles, including the loss in the Supercopa final and issues with players like Vinicius Junior. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera notes the club's official statement and the broader context of Madrid's high expectations.
Contrastingly, some might argue that Alonso's short tenure was overly harsh given the challenges of integrating new signings and adapting to Madrid's demanding environment. However, the consensus from the sources is that Madrid's decision was driven by a combination of poor results and internal discord, with the club prioritizing immediate success over patience.
How we got here
Alonso was appointed in summer 2025 to replace Carlo Ancelotti, with high expectations given his pedigree. His tenure saw early success but was marred by inconsistent results, a public dispute with Vinicius Junior, and a poor showing in the Supercopa final. The club's decision reflects pressure from management and the need for immediate results.
Go deeper
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Xabier Alonso Olano is a Spanish football manager and former professional player who played as a central or defensive midfielder. He is the manager of Segunda División B club Real Sociedad B.
Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his
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Real Madrid Club de Fútbol, commonly referred to as Real Madrid, is a Spanish professional football club based in Madrid.
Founded on 6 March 1902 as Madrid Football Club, the club has traditionally worn a white home kit since inception.
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Álvaro Arbeloa Coca is a Spanish retired footballer. He predominantly played as a right back, although he also occasionally played on the left side.
He started his professional career with Real Madrid, playing mostly with the reserves.