Who will replace Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid? Keep an eye on this list of candidates
The Spanish coach was dismissed on Tuesday afternoon following the team’s defeat to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.
The "Xabi Alonso era" at the Santiago Bernabéu has come to an abrupt and shocking end. In the late hours following the Spanish Super Cup final defeat against FC Barcelona in Saudi Arabia, Real Madrid officially announced the dismissal of the 44-year-old manager. Despite being hailed as the "chosen one" to lead the club’s new generation, Alonso’s tenure lasted just six months. The board, led by Florentino Pérez, determined that the tactical regression and the sting of losing a trophy to their biggest rival were grounds for immediate termination.
In the interim, the club has turned to Álvaro Arbeloa, a beloved former player (2009-2016) and current head coach of Real Madrid Castilla. Arbeloa, who has been managing in the Spanish third division, will step up to the first team as the club begins an exhaustive search for a permanent successor capable of handling the immense pressure of the 15-time Champions League winners.
The Numbers Behind the Fall
On paper, Xabi Alonso’s statistics were far from catastrophic. During his half-year reign, he managed the squad in 28 official matches, recording 20 wins, 3 draws, and 5 defeats—a 75% win rate. However, at Real Madrid, efficiency is measured in trophies, not percentages.
The club currently sits in second place in La Liga, and two critical losses in the Champions League group stage had already raised red flags among the hierarchy. The final blow was the 3-2 loss to Hansi Flick’s Barça, where the team looked tactically outclassed. The club released a "mutual agreement" statement, thanking Alonso for his dedication, but the underlying reality is clear: the results did not meet the "Madridista" standard.
The Shortlist: 5 Giants for the Bernabéu Bench
As Arbeloa takes charge of training sessions, the rumors regarding a permanent replacement are reaching a fever pitch. Here are the five heavyweights currently on Florentino Pérez’s radar:
- Jurgen Klopp: The German mastermind has been out of the dugout since leaving Liverpool two seasons ago, citing a need for rest. Currently serving as the Global Head of Soccer for Red Bull, Klopp would be the "dream signing" for fans. His "heavy metal" football would perfectly suit stars like Mbappé and Vinícius Jr., though convincing him to return to the sidelines mid-season remains a challenge.
- Zinedine Zidane: A third stint for "Zizou" is always a possibility. The Frenchman led Madrid to an unprecedented three consecutive Champions League titles. While he is the sentimental favorite, strong rumors link him to the French National Team after the next World Cup, which could complicate a long-term return to Valdebebas.
- Davide Ancelotti: The "legacy" candidate. While he lacks head coaching experience at the elite level, Carlo Ancelotti’s son has spent years as the tactical brain behind his father’s success. He knows the locker room intimately and understands the club’s internal politics, making him a low-friction, high-reward gamble.
- Enzo Maresca: The most "modern" choice. Maresca has seen his stock rise significantly after winning the Conference League and the FIFA Club World Cup with Chelsea. His tactical flexibility and ability to manage big egos in London have caught the eye of the Madrid board.
- José Mourinho: "The Special One" is currently facing a difficult spell at Benfica. A return to Madrid, where he broke Barça’s dominance between 2010 and 2013, would be a "fireworks" appointment. Mourinho remains a master of defensive organization, something this current Madrid side desperately needs.
The "Arbeloa" Factor: Interim or Permanent?
While the big names circulate, Álvaro Arbeloa has a golden opportunity to prove he is more than just a stop-gap. Arbeloa has been part of the Real Madrid coaching system since 2020, achieving massive success with the youth ranks:
- Juvenil A Treble: He secured the League, Copa del Rey, and Champions Cup in 2022-2023.
- Madridismo DNA: Having won two Champions Leagues as a player, he commands immediate respect in the dressing room.
The next few days are vital. If Arbeloa can stabilize the defense and win convincingly in the Copa del Rey against Albacete, he might follow the path of Zinedine Zidane or Santiago Solari—transitioning from the academy to the first-team bench for the remainder of the season.
However, with Florentino Pérez at the helm, a "Galactico" manager is never far away. The search for the man to lead Real Madrid into the 2026-2027 season has officially begun, and the pressure on Arbeloa starts this Wednesday.
