• Real Madrid parts ways with coach Xabi Alonso following a loss to Barcelona in the Super Cup.
• Alvaro Arbeloa is named the new head coach, promoted from the reserve team's Castilla.
• Alonso's tenure was marred by internal discord and disappointing performances.
• Alonso expressed gratitude for his time at the club despite the departure.
• Arbeloa's coaching experience has been within Real Madrid's youth academy.

Real Madrid announced on January 12 that coach Xabi Alonso has left the club "by mutual consent," following a disappointing 3-2 defeat to their rivals Barcelona in the Supercopa final. His departure comes just over seven months after his appointment, when he was expected to lead the team to success after taking over from Carlo Ancelotti. The club expressed their gratitude towards Alonso, stating that he would always have the affection of Real Madrid fans and that "Real Madrid will always be his home," according to Le Monde, Al Jazeera, AA, and Channel News Asia.

Alonso's tenure was characterized by a string of poor results and reported discord among players, particularly with star winger Vinicius Jr. Public complaints about substitutions and dissatisfaction with Alonso's tactical approach contributed to the pressures leading to his exit. The final blow was the defeat against Barcelona, which was seen as a capital offense by club president Florentino Perez, a sentiment echoed by experts observing the situation at the club, according to Al Jazeera and Reuters.

In light of Alonso’s departure, Alvaro Arbeloa, a former right-back and club legend, has been appointed as the new head coach. Arbeloa has been coaching the reserve team, Castilla, since June 2025 and has spent his coaching career within the Real Madrid training complex. His first challenge as head coach will be the upcoming Copa del Rey match against Albacete, where he will have the opportunity to start his managerial career at a higher level, according to Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and AA.

Alonso expressed his gratitude towards the club, fans, and players following his departure, indicating that coaching at Real Madrid was both an honor and a responsibility, despite his tenure not meeting expectations. He remarked, “I leave with respect, gratitude and pride in having done my best,” reflecting on his brief spell in charge while acknowledging the challenges faced, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.