Arbeloa replaces Alonso as Real Madrid head coachAFP, MADRIDReal Madrid on Monday said that coach Xabi Alonso has left the Spanish giants by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa. “Real Madrid announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his tenure as first-team coach to an end,” Los Blancos said in a statement. Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso, right, gestures during their La Liga match against Real Betis Balompie at the Santiago Bernabeu in Madrid on Jan. 4. Photo: AFPIn a separate statement Real Madrid then announced Arbeloa would take Alonso’s place, without specifying the length of the 42-year-old’s contract. The Spaniard played 238 times for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2016, winning two UEFA Champions League titles and La Liga once, among other silverware.

Source: Taipei Times January 13, 2026 17:14 UTC