Xabi Alonso was sacked as Real Madrid manager after just 233 days following a string of poor results and growing dissatisfaction from club president Florentino Pérez and some players. Despite a strong start to the 2025-26 season, including a Clásico victory, the team's performance declined, marked by losses to rivals like Barcelona, Manchester City, and Atlético Madrid.
Key incidents that contributed to his downfall included disagreements over player management, particularly with Vinícius Júnior, and issues with squad planning and player discipline. Alonso's relationship with Pérez was strained from the beginning, as the club president had concerns about his inexperience.
Sources close to Alonso suggest the sacking was not a mutual agreement, despite the club's official statement. His successor, Álvaro Arbeloa, was quickly confirmed.
Alonso expressed disappointment over player contributions, lack of freedom to implement his ideas, and dressing room leaks, with influential players like Vinícius Júnior, Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde reportedly being resistant to his methods. The club cited injuries and Alonso's handling of Vinícius as major concerns, alongside the overarching reality of inconsistent team performance.