Xabi Alonso was removed as Real Madrid coach because the club’s hierarchy lost confidence in his project after a run of poor results, physical and injury concerns in the squad, and growing tension in the dressing room, especially with key players.

What actually happened

  • Real Madrid and Alonso agreed to terminate his contract in January 2026, shortly after a defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup, with Álvaro Arbeloa named as interim replacement.
  • Although framed as a “mutual agreement,” Spanish and international outlets consistently describe it as a dismissal prompted by sporting and internal-club reasons.

Main sporting reasons

  • Results dipped from early December, including a damaging 2–0 league loss to Celta Vigo and then the high-profile defeat to Barcelona, which was seen as the final trigger.
  • Club officials were unhappy with the team’s physical level and the high number of muscle injuries, feeling the side could not sustain the intensity required for Madrid’s ambitions.

Dressing-room and image issues

  • Reports highlight a divided dressing room and Alonso’s difficulties managing some big personalities, with noted clashes or tension involving players such as Vinícius Júnior and Federico Valverde.
  • A widely reported incident where Vinícius reacted angrily to being substituted and shouted about leaving the club damaged Alonso’s public authority and the club’s image, which weighed heavily with president Florentino Pérez.

Squad management and tactical doubts

  • Alonso was criticized internally for moving away from his initial commitment to younger players like Arda Güler and Franco Mastantuono once results turned, which disappointed parts of the club structure.
  • Questions were also raised about whether his tactical “system coach” approach fully fit Madrid’s culture, especially as late-game collapses and close defeats piled up and external pressure mounted.

How fans and media are framing it

  • Many commentators argue he was not perfect but say his sacking ignores deeper structural problems at Madrid, such as squad planning and long-term strategy.
  • On forums and social media, discussion often boils down to three key themes: poor physical preparation, bad harmony with the squad, and the negative image created by public incidents with star players.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.