OFFICIAL: Real Madrid announce new manager after sacking Alonso

Faruq Ibrahim 18:50 - 12 January 2026

Real Madrid have immediately announced a replacement after the exit of Xabi Alonso.

Real Madrid have announced that Alvaro Arbeloa will become the new head coach, replacing Xabi Alonso, who has been relieved of his duties.

The former Los Blancos and Spanish national team right-back was, until this afternoon, the coach of Real Madrid Castilla, the club's subsidiary. He has now been promoted to senior first-team coach.

Arbeloa gets big break

Moments after announcing Alonso's exit, the club released a statement which named Arbeloa as his successor. The statement detailed the former defender's impressive record as a youth coach and his trophy-laden career for club and country.

"Real Madrid CF announces that Álvaro Arbeloa is the new first-team coach," the statement read.

"Álvaro Arbeloa has been the manager of Castilla since June 2025, and has spent his entire coaching career in Real Madrid's youth academy since 2020. He managed the Infantil A team in the 2020-2021 season, winning the league title, the Cadete A team in 2021-2022, and the Juvenil A team from 2022 to 2025. As Juvenil A manager, he achieved the treble in 2022-2023 (League, Copa del Rey, and Champions Cup) and the League title in the 2024-2025 season.

"As a player, Álvaro Arbeloa was part of Real Madrid during one of the most successful periods in its history. He wore our shirt between 2009 and 2016, making 238 official appearances. During that time, he won eight titles: two Champions Leagues, one Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title, two Copa del Rey trophies, and one Spanish Super Cup.

"With the Spanish national team, Álvaro Arbeloa was also part of a historic era, winning the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and two European Championships (2008 and 2012). He earned 56 caps for Spain."