Havana, January 12 (RHC) – Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso was sacked today with immediate effect, and Álvaro Arbeloa will take his place.
Both former Real Madrid players will have a swift and informal handover, judging by the statement released by Real Madrid, which, as usual, acknowledges the work of the ousted manager. The statement also expresses affection and admiration for a former midfielder who enjoyed glorious seasons with the “White House” and who, unfortunately, failed to establish himself as a coach.
He leaves having just lost the Spanish Super Cup final against Barcelona and sitting second in La Liga, four points behind the Blaugrana.
He started energetically at the Club World Cup, but was thrashed by Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals. He then failed to find the right formula for a recognizable Real Madrid style of play, and another heavy defeat, this time against Atlético de Madrid, all but sealed his fate.
Every match, every week, became an ordeal for Xabi Alonso, who, according to the media, was constantly threatened with dismissal.
Just when it was being said in recent hours that, despite last night’s setback against Barça, the fact that the team competed until the very end restored the coach’s credibility, the surprise announcement of his dismissal came.
Arbeloa’s name had been circulating for some time, but only as a temporary replacement, unless he achieves encouraging results. German Jürgen Klopp, Portuguese José Mourinho, and Frenchman Zinedine Zidane are being mentioned as future candidates.
However, none of the three seems interested. Klopp appears uninterested, Mourinho is unlikely given his style of play, and Zidane is a contender for the French national team job after the World Cup.
