What's happened
Xabi Alonso has been dismissed as Real Madrid's head coach after less than a year, following a series of poor results and disagreements with players, notably Vinicius Junior. The club cited mutual agreement and thanked Alonso for his efforts. He will be replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa.
What's behind the headline?
Alonso's brief reign at Real Madrid highlights the club's high expectations and intolerance for underperformance. Despite his pedigree, Alonso's struggles with team cohesion and tactical consistency led to his dismissal. The incident with Vinicius Junior exemplifies internal discord that can destabilize a coach's position. The club's decision to replace him with Arbeloa signals a desire for stability and a return to familiar leadership. This episode underscores the pressure on managers at top clubs to deliver immediate results and maintain harmony within star-studded squads. Moving forward, Alonso's departure may serve as a cautionary tale for future coaching appointments, emphasizing the importance of managing player relationships and aligning with club expectations.
What the papers say
Al Jazeera reports that Alonso was dismissed after a series of poor results and a high-profile loss to Barcelona, citing internal conflicts and a disconnect with players, especially Vinicius Junior. The club's official statement praised Alonso as a legend and expressed gratitude for his efforts. AP News confirms the mutual agreement and highlights Alonso's promising start, but notes the decline in results and internal issues. Both sources agree that Alonso's short tenure was marked by high expectations and internal discord, leading to his departure. Contrasting opinions from different outlets focus on whether Alonso's tactical approach was suitable for Madrid's star-studded squad or if internal conflicts were inevitable, with some suggesting the club's high standards leave little room for error at this level.
How we got here
Alonso, a club legend and former midfielder, was appointed in May 2025 to replace Carlo Ancelotti on a three-year contract. His tenure included a promising start, winning 10 of 11 La Liga matches, but results declined amid internal conflicts and high-profile losses, culminating in a recent defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa final.
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.