Alonso leaves Real Madrid by 'mutual agreement' after seven months, replaced by Arbeloa

Madrid were defeated by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday

Xabi Alonso took over as Real Madrid head coach in June. Pic: Peter Byrne/PA Wire.

Xabi Alonso has left his job as coach of Real Madrid, only seven months after arriving for his first day at the club’s Valdebebas training ground. A brief statement announced his departure “by mutual consent” on Monday evening after Madrid’s 3-2 defeat in the final of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona the previous night.

He will be replaced, at least in the short term, by his former Real Madrid and Liverpool teammate and friend Álvaro Arbeloa, who was coach of Castilla, Madrid’s B team.