Alvaro Arbeloa replaces Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid head coach - Photo: Depositphotos

Real Madrid have officially confirmed the appointment of Álvaro Arbeloa as the new head coach of the first team, ushering in a new era at the Santiago Bernabéu following the departure of Xabi Alonso.

The Spanish coach has been deeply embedded in the club’s structure for several years. Since June 2025, Arbeloa has been in charge of Real Madrid Castilla, while steadily working across all key age-group teams within La Fábrica. Having joined the coaching pathway in 2020, he progressed from youth levels to the reserve side, earning widespread recognition as one of the most promising coaches developed internally by the club.

As a player, Álvaro Arbeloa was part of one of the most successful periods in Real Madrid’s modern history. Between 2009 and 2016, he made 238 official appearances and collected eight major trophies, including two UEFA Champions League titles, one LaLiga, two Copa del Rey trophies, the UEFA Super Cup, the Spanish Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup.