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Real Madrid struggles in Xabi Alonso's first season as manager

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jun 2, 2026, 1:20 PM

Last updated Jun 2, 2026

Real Madrid struggles in Xabi Alonso's first season as manager

Summary

Real Madrid's season ended with challenges under manager Xabi Alonso, following a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup. Despite an optimistic start, where the team won 15 of its first 16 matches, performance dipped significantly after a loss to Atletico Madrid. Alonso's management faced scrutiny particularly after a controversial substitution involving Vinicius Junior, leading to diminishing results and his eventual dismissal in January after a Supercup defeat. The club experienced further setbacks, including a disappointing Copa del Rey loss to Albacete, indicating deeper issues within the squad. Alvaro Arbeloa briefly took over but could not provide lasting stability as the season concluded in disappointment for Real Madrid.

Source Links

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By the Numbers

•Real Madrid suffered a 4-0 loss to PSG in Club World Cup.
•The team won 15 of its first 16 matches this season.
•Alonso was dismissed in January after poor Supercup performance.
•Alvaro Arbeloa's interim management failed to stabilize results.
•The season ended with further losses against lower-ranked teams.

Latest Updates

1:20 PMYahoo Sports — Real Madrid Season Review: The new dawn that never saw daybreak

What they're saying

"
Season SummaryReal Madrid brought in a new dawn with the arrival of Xabi Alonso, who despite a mixed Club World Cup run that ended with a resounding 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, ushered in a new...
— Yahoo Sports

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