Xabi Alonso’s time as Real Madrid head coach was one of the shortest, and most talked-about, managerial spells in the club’s recent history. Members of the 1xBet platform can bet on Real Madrid as well.
After an illustrious playing career and a remarkable rise as a coach in Germany, Alonso returned to the Santiago Bernabéu with great expectations in May 2025. He signed a 3-year contract to lead Los Blancos.
Alonso, a club legend with 236 appearances as a player and 6 major trophies for Real Madrid, had built an impressive résumé as a manager. The best footballers from the entire world can also be wagered by going to 1xBet too.
Prior to his appointment, he made history at Bayer Leverkusen, winning:
- the Bundesliga;
- the German Cup;
- and the German Super Cup.
This also included an unbeaten league season, achievements that boosted optimism among madridistas.
A mixed start
His spell began in June 2025 with the FIFA Club World Cup, where results were mixed but promising. A live bet can also be made on the FIFA Club World Cup at 1xBet whenever it is taking place too.
Back in domestic competition, Real Madrid started strongly under Alonso’s tactical guidance and intensity, at one point going 7 to 13 games unbeaten. This also included a memorable El Clásico win over Barcelona that saw the team open a healthy points gap at the top of La Liga. The best place to make a bet in live form on La Liga is 1xBet.
However, despite flashes of brilliance, Alonso’s tenure soon encountered turbulence. A sequence of inconsistent performances, including heavy defeats in the Champions League, unexpected league slip-ups, and struggles to maintain momentum, reduced confidence. Reports emerged of internal friction and a disconnect between the coach’s rigid methods and some senior players, leading to growing pressure on him from within the squad and the media.
When everything came to an end
The turning point came in January 2026 after a 3-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. Fans can also bet online football easily at 1xBet on the Spanish Super Cup too.
Just over 7 months into his role, Real Madrid and Alonso mutually agreed to part ways, ending a brief but intense chapter.
Alonso’s legacy as coach was a complex mix. It had an early promise and tactical ambition, matched by inconsistency and premature conclusion at one of world football’s biggest clubs. His departure paved the way for the appointment of former teammate and Castilla coach Álvaro Arbeloa as his successor. Feel free to easily try an online football bet at 1xBet on Real Madrid or other Spanish football squads.
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