Xabi Alonso is no longer Real Madrid’s coach. The club announced the Spanish coach’s departure on Monday, January 12, 2026, one day after the 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Supercopa final of Espanha. The decision was taken by mutual agreement between the parties.
Several players from the merengue squad used social media to publish farewell messages to the coach. Mbappé and Rodrygo were among those who spoke publicly, thanking Alonso for his work during the seven months he led the main team.
The Spanish press highlighted that some important athletes have not posted anything so far. Vinicius Júnior tops the list of absences in the tributes to the former coach, along with other relevant names from the current squad.
Defeat in the final of Supercopa
Real Madrid lost the decision of Supercopa to Espanha by 3 to 2 in a match played in Jedá, in Arábia Saudita. Barcelona dominated much of the game and won the title with goals distributed among their main attackers.
The defeat marked the end of Xabi Alonso’s cycle in technical command. The coach had taken office in May 2025, replacing Carlo Ancelotti, and faced difficulties implementing his playing style throughout the season.
Messages published by players
Mbappé published a message highlighting the learning gained from the coach. The French striker emphasized the trust he received from the first day and praised Alonso’s clear ideas about football.
Rodrygo also spoke out on social media. The Brazilian thanked him for the trust and shared moments, wishing him success in the next stage of the Spanish coach’s career.
Other athletes followed the same path and posted texts of gratitude. The messages circulated widely among fans and were covered by the press specializing in European football.
Silence from part of the cast
Vinicius Júnior did not publish any farewell message until the early afternoon of January 13th. The Brazilian striker, one of the main names in the current squad, remained silent about the coach’s departure.
Éder Militão was also among those who did not speak out publicly. The Brazilian defender follows the same pattern observed in Vinicius Júnior on social media.
- Trent Alexander-Arnold
- Ferland Mendy
- Jude Bellingham
- Frank Mastantuono
- Brahim Díaz (the latter competes for Copa Africana of Nações for the selection of Marrocos)
The list of absentees includes these names. The collective absence caught the attention of the press, which followed the posts throughout the day following the dismissal.
Context of passing Alonso
Xabi Alonso arrived at Real Madrid with high expectations after success at Bayer Leverkusen. The Spaniard signed a three-year contract, but only spent seven months in the main role.
The coach faced challenges balancing the star-studded squad. The defeat at Supercopa represented the final point in a sequence of results that did not meet the club’s expectations.
Real Madrid issued an official statement confirming the mutual agreement. The board thanked him for the services provided and wished him success in his future projects.
Coach’s statement
Xabi Alonso published a message on social media almost 24 hours after his dismissal. Ele acknowledged that the chapter did not end as he wished, but highlighted the honor of training Real Madrid.
The Spaniard thanked the club for the opportunity and the responsibility assumed. The post received thousands of interactions from fans and former teammates.
Alonso avoided details about the reasons for his early departure. The text maintained a professional tone and focused on the positive aspects of the experience in charge of merengue.
List of players who spoke out
Several athletes chose to publish individual farewells. The messages varied in length, but maintained a tone of respect for the work carried out.
- Kylian Mbappé highlighted the learning and confidence received
- Rodrygo mentioned the moments shared and wished future success
- Other defenders and midfielders also posted short texts of gratitude
The publications took place throughout Monday and Tuesday morning. Most of the texts included photos of training or games under the command of Alonso.
Absences that generate repercussions
Vinicius Júnior’s silence gained prominence in the news coverage. The striker, a central player in the tactical scheme, did not appear among those who paid tribute to the fired coach.
Jude Bellingham followed the same standard of discretion. The English midfielder, another protagonist of the squad, chose not to publish anything related to Alonso’s departure.
The situation involving the absentees fueled analyzes of the internal environment. The press noted the contrast between the effusive messages and the silence of a significant part of the group.
The club’s next steps
Real Madrid is already working on defining the interim replacement. Nomes internals gained strength to take charge until the announcement of a new definitive coach.
Álvaro Arbeloa, current coach of team B, appears as an immediate option. The board evaluates the profile to maintain stability during the transition.
The squad returns to training in the next few days with commitments for La Liga and Champions League. The team needs to recover points in the domestic table after the setback in Supercopa.
Repercussion among fans
Social media recorded intense debates about the dismissal. Parte of the fans lamented the early departure of Alonso, while another group approved the change in technical command.
The absences at farewells also generated varied comments. Supporters highlighted the published messages, while critics pointed out the silence of some athletes.
The club remains focused on the current season. The board reinforces the group’s unity for the challenges that lie ahead in the European and national calendar.
Real Madrid will compete in the next round of La Liga over the weekend. The team seeks immediate reaction after the stumble in the decision of Supercopa of Espanha.
