Xabi Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid the day after losing to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. The 15-time European champions are four points behind Barcelona in La Liga.
Xabi Alonso has been sacked by manager Florentino Perez (Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso has broken his silence after being cruelly sacked by Real Madrid after just seven months. Alonso, 44, was given the job by club president Florentino Perez after Real lost 3-2 to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday.
The Spaniard, who played for Los Blancos from 2009 to 2014, only took over in June. Alonso won 24 of his 34 matches in the Bernabéu hot seat, losing just six.
But behind the scenes, it ended complaints and accusations that the former Liverpool star lacked respect from the club’s senior players. Alonso addressed his departure on Instagram.
“This chapter of my career has come to an end, but it didn’t go the way we had hoped,” he posted. “Coaching Real Madrid is both an honor and a responsibility.
“I would like to thank the club, the players and above all the fans and the fans of Madrid for their trust and support. I leave here with respect, gratitude and the pride of having given my best.”
read more: Real Madrid ‘ignore’ Xabi Alonso transfer request, allowing Arsenal to pounceread more: Xabi Alonso has already withdrawn a major offer to Liverpool after the Real Madrid manager was brutally sacked
Real were considering sacking Alonso last month after falling four points behind Barcelona in the La Liga title race. However, three wins before the winter break saw the former midfielder given a suspended sentence.
Los Blancos defeated local rivals Atletico Madrid 2-1 in the Spanish Super Cup semi-finals, but lost to Hansi Flick’s in-form Barça. Two goals from Rafinha and one from Robert Lewandowski were enough to defeat Real and finally end Alonso’s stormy reign.
Real have appointed reserve team manager Alvaro Arbeloa as their new manager. Former Premier League star Arbeloa played alongside Alonso at both Liverpool and Real.
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Alonso’s stock has plummeted since returning to the Bernabéu after a disastrous spell at Bayer Leverkusen, his first senior managerial job. He led the German team to the Bundesliga title in his first full season, ending Bayern Munich’s stronghold.
Leverkusen went undefeated throughout the domestic season and also won the DFB Pokal. Their only defeat was in the 2024 Europa League final against Atalanta.
Last season, Alonso led Leverkusen to second place in the Bundesliga. Real acquired him after parting ways with legendary manager Carlo Ancelotti, who currently leads the Brazilian national team.
Alonso was reluctant to take over in time for last summer’s Club World Cup but was given no options by Perez and club executives. Real advanced to the semi-finals, but lost 4-0 to Paris Saint-Germain.
Alvaro Arbeloa replaces Xabi Alonso (Image: Oscar DEL POZO/AFP via Getty Images)
Los Blancos started the season with seven consecutive wins, but lost the Madrid derby 5-2. In November, Real only won two out of six games, but when December started, they lost two out of three.
They had won five games in a row before losing to Barcelona in Saudi Arabia. But Alveola will be in the dugout when the 15-time European champions face second-tier Albacete in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
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