Real Madrid Parts Ways With Xabi Alonso, Promotes Álvaro Arbeloa to Head Coach

Overview

• Real Madrid confirmed Alonso's exit by mutual agreement in a club statement hours after a 3-2 Spanish Super Cup loss to Barcelona.
• Minutes later, the club named former defender Álvaro Arbeloa as first-team coach.
• Alonso departs after 232 days and 34 matches, posting 24 wins, four draws and six defeats.
• The team sits second in LaLiga on 45 points and seventh in the Champions League league phase, within the direct qualification places.
• Arbeloa, 42, has coached across Madrid's youth ranks and recently led Castilla, and he takes over with a trip to Benfica at Estádio da Luz roughly two weeks away.