Xabi Alonso's Sudden Dismissal Shakes Real Madrid After Promising Start

Xabi Alonso's tenure as head coach of Real Madrid ended abruptly after just seven months, marking a dramatic turnaround from his record-setting start. Initially, Alonso led the team to an unprecedented 13 victories in his first 14 competitive matches, the best season opener in the club's history. However, following a 0-1 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League, Real Madrid's form declined sharply, including a stretch of four league games without a win.

The team's struggles extended into the Spanish Supercopa final, where a narrow 2-3 defeat to FC Barcelona further fueled dissatisfaction. Officially, the club stated that Alonso's departure was a mutual decision, with Alonso expressing fatigue over the precarious situation. Yet, reports suggest Real Madrid president Florentino Perez was dissatisfied with the overall team performance and made the final decision to sack Alonso unilaterally.

The coaching change surprised many players, who learned about the dismissal through the club's official communication rather than internal discussion. Star players reportedly experienced a deterioration in their relationship with Alonso amid the team's inconsistent results. Details also emerged criticizing Alonso's physical training methods and questioning his connection with the squad.

Following Alonso's exit, former Real Madrid player Álvaro Arbeloa, previously coaching the club's second team, was appointed as the new head coach.

In his first public comments after leaving, Alonso took to Instagram to thank the club, players, and fans, stating, "Training Real Madrid was an honor and a great responsibility," and expressed pride in his efforts despite the unexpected end. His wife, Nagore Aranburu, praised him as "the best," while notable figures such as former assistant Marcel Daum and star player Kylian Mbappé also expressed support and gratitude, with Mbappé highlighting Alonso's football knowledge and vision.

This dramatic episode highlights the high pressures and expectations at Europe’s elite football clubs and raises questions about the challenges Alonso faced in aligning his coaching style with the club’s demanding standards. As the season progresses under Arbeloa's leadership, Real Madrid fans and critics alike will watch closely to see if the team can regain its winning form.