Xabi Alonso has left Real Madrid after just over seven months as the head coach and been replaced by Álvaro Arbeloa.

Alonso leaves after defeat by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final on Sunday and with his team four points behind the Catalan club at the top of La Liga.

Arbeloa, also a former Madrid player, steps up from coaching the club’s B team, a job he took last June. m

Alonso officially started on 1 June after a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the domestic double in 2023-24 and led the team to the Europa League final.

After overseeing Madrid’s run to the Club World Cup semi-finals he began impressively, winning 13 of his next 14 games, the exception being a heavy derby defeat by Atlético Madrid.

A loss at Liverpool on 4 November started a run that brought two wins in eight matches and although Alonso bounced back by winning five games in a row, the improvement has not been sufficient to convince the hierarchy he should continue.

A club statement said: “Real Madrid C.F. announces that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to end his tenure as first-team coach. Xabi Alonso will always have the affection and admiration of all Madrid fans because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always embodied the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.

“Our club thanks Xabi Alonso and his entire coaching staff for their work and dedication during this time, and wishes them the best of luck in this new chapter of their lives.”