Xabi Alonso Part Ways with Real Madrid After Super Cup Defeat

Following Real Madrid’s defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final last weekend, Xabi Alonso’s tenure as head coach has officially come to an end, reportedly by “mutual consent.”

The club released a statement announcing, “Real Madrid CF confirms that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his time as first team coach. Xabi Alonso will always hold a special place in the hearts of Madrid fans, as he is a legend of Real Madrid and has consistently embodied the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home. We extend our gratitude to Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their commitment and dedication during his tenure, and we wish them the best in their future endeavors.”

Despite the disappointment associated with his departure, Alonso responded with grace, sharing his thoughts on Instagram. He remarked, “This professional chapter concludes, and it has not unfolded as we had hoped. Coaching Real Madrid has been both an honor and a responsibility. I thank the club, the players, and particularly the fans for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude, and pride in having given my all.”

Álvaro Arbeloa, the manager of the club’s B team, was quickly appointed as Alonso’s successor. However, Arbeloa faced an unfortunate start, suffering a defeat in the cup to a lower league team.

Kylian Mbappé, Madrid’s top scorer, was among the first players to pay tribute to Alonso following his departure. Teammate Jude Bellingham took a bit longer to extend his well wishes, resulting in some backlash where he was labeled a ‘snake’ for his delay. Bellingham later expressed his appreciation for Alonso on social media, stating, “Thank you, Mister. It was a pleasure; wishing you all the best for the future!” He subsequently addressed the criticism, expressing his frustration with misinformation circulating about his support for Alonso during his time as coach.

Amidst the backdrop of Alonso’s exit and rumors regarding Vinicius Jr.’s dissatisfaction with his management style, Madrid fans expressed their discontent by booing the players’ names during their announcement before the match against Levante in La Liga. Club president Florentino Pérez also faced scrutiny from supporters, with some calling for his resignation. Vinicius Jr. was visibly affected by the boos, receiving consolation from his teammates.

Ultimately, Real Madrid secured a 2-0 victory in the match, narrowing the gap to just one point behind La Liga leaders Barcelona. Hansi Flick’s squad has the opportunity to extend their lead to four points if they succeed against Real Sociedad on Sunday. However, this win may temporarily silence the critics as Madrid seeks to regain their form.