MADRID: Real Madrid pulled the trigger and replaced Xabi Alonso with B team manager Alvaro Arbeloa on Monday.
Madrid said Alonso left by mutual agreement but it followed a tumultuous stint that lasted less than eight months and came a day after Madrid lost to Barcelona 3-2 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.
Alonso was immediately replaced by Arbeloa — they were teammates for Madrid, Liverpool and Spain and won the World Cup together in 2010.
“Real Madrid wishes to announce that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end,” a statement said. “Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.”
The club also thanked Alonso’s coaching staff.
Alonso arrived last May under high expectations as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement and pressure built as the team struggled to play well under his command. He had spats with players such as Vinicius Junior and widespread media reports said he lost control of the locker room.
After Sunday’s loss in Jeddah, Alonso appeared to want his team to do a guard of honor for Barcelona during the awards ceremony but Kylian Mbappe and other players called him back and walked away.
Mbappe was the first player to bid farewell to Alonso on Monday. Mbappe praised and thanked Alonso in an Instagram story that accompanied a photo of him and the coach saluting each other.
“It’s been short but it was a pleasure to play for you and learn from you,” the France star wrote. “Thank you for giving me confidence since Day 1. I will remember you as a manager who had clear ideas and knows many things about football. Best of luck for you(r) next chapter.”
Other Madrid players also posted messages thanking Alonso and wishing him luck. Vinícius was not among those publicly bidding farewell to the coach.
Alonso did not immediately make any public comments.
He was at Madrid’s helm in 34 matches across all competitions, winning 24, losing six and drawing four.
Madrid won the season’s first clasico in October by 2-1 but still trails Barcelona by four points at the halfway point of La Liga. The team’s next match is on Wednesday at Albacete in the Copa del Rey round of 16.