After Aus in Madrid
Xabi Alonso reacts to Real’s dismissal
01/13/2026 – 1:34 p.mReading time: 1 min.
Xabi Alonso has to leave after the Supercup defeat against Barcelona. One day after the separation, the ex-Real coach spoke out for the first time.
Xabi Alonso looks back on his short tenure at Real Madrid without resentment. “This professional phase is over and it didn’t go as we would have liked,” the Basque wrote on Instagram on Tuesday. Nevertheless, it was “an honor and a responsibility” to coach Real Madrid, said the 44-year-old. The separation officially took place by “mutual agreement” after the Clásico defeat in the Supercup final against FC Barcelona 2-3.
Alonso, who started in Madrid in the summer with high expectations, thanked the club, the players and the fans for their trust and support. He is leaving “with respect, gratitude and the pride of having given my best,” emphasized the Basque, who led Bayer Leverkusen to the championship and DFB Cup double in 2024.
Álvaro Arbeloa, Alonso’s former teammate at Real and most recently coach of the second team, is now his successor. His first appearance as coach of the first team is on Wednesday (9 p.m.) in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey against second division club Albacete Balompié.