Alonso's dream job lasts just 8 months

Coach agrees deal, leaves Real Madrid

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Xabi Alonso fell short of the successes achieved by former Real Madrid coaches Carlo Ancelotti and Zinedine Zidane.

(AFP)

Xabi Alonso's reign as Real Madrid coach lasted less than eight months as the Spaniard agreed a deal to depart from the Spanish giants on Monday.

The former midfield maestro was expected to overhaul Madrid’s game with a cerebral and tactically adroit approach, but his team flattered to deceive.

By the end Madrid looked in similar shape to how they performed last season, where they ended up without a major trophy, as they were outplayed by rivals Barcelona in a 3-2 Spanish Super Cup final defeat on Sunday.

Four points behind the Catalan La Liga leaders and sitting seventh in the league phase of the Champions League, Florentino Perez took action and replaced Alonso with reserve team coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

The axe was above Alonso's neck waiting to drop for several weeks, as a run of five victories kept him in his post until the Clasico in Saudi Arabia.

Alonso, who gained plaudits at Bayer Leverkusen after winning the Bundesliga undefeated in 2024, arrived at Real Madrid with dreams of leading the team to glory like Carlo Ancelotti or Zinedine Zidane before him.

However, his early dismissal leaves him among a less illustrious list of other swiftly ousted coaches including Rafa Benitez and Julen Lopetegui.