Just hours after the decision that shook Real Madrid, the man at the center of the story broke his silence, putting an end to the wave of speculation sweeping through Spanish and European football circles.
A sudden departure, a short tenure, and an unexpected ending made all eyes turn to his anticipated reaction amid questions about what had transpired behind the scenes during one of the shortest coaching stints in the club’s history.
Related topics
Initially, the situation seemed ambiguous, with no clear indication of the dismissed coach’s feelings or stance on the decision. However, the following hours delivered a completely different message.
Full details:
Spanish coach Xabi Alonso, via his official Instagram account, spoke for the first time since his dismissal from Real Madrid, confirming that his journey with the team had not unfolded as everyone had hoped.
In a calm and heartfelt farewell message, Alonso wrote: “This professional chapter, which did not go as we had hoped, has come to an end. Coaching Real Madrid was an honor and a great responsibility.”
He added: “I thank the club, the players, and above all the fans, for their trust and support. I leave with respect, gratitude, and pride, because I gave my all.”
Alonso’s tenure with Los Blancos ended after just 232 days in charge, a period too brief to meet the high expectations that accompanied his arrival last summer when he was presented as the successor to the calm and measured style established by Carlo Ancelotti.
However, inconsistent results, a loss of control in the dressing room, and the recent defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup Clásico accelerated the board’s decision to end his contract early despite the high hopes invested in the young coach.
Meanwhile, Florentino Pérez’s administration acted quickly to prevent a coaching vacuum, announcing Álvaro Arbeloa as the new manager, a move reflecting the club’s return to relying on homegrown leadership to restore discipline and fighting spirit.
The dismissal, Alonso’s composed response, and the start of a new era under Arbeloa all signal that Real Madrid has entered a pivotal phase, one that could reshape the remainder of the season entirely.
