Real Madrid sack Alonso, B team manager Arbeloa promoted

MADRID (AP):

Real Madrid pulled the trigger and replaced Xabi Alonso with B team manager Alvaro Arbeloa yesterday.

Madrid said Alonso left by mutual agreement but it followed a tumultuous stint that lasted less than eight months and came a day after Madrid lost to Barcelona 3-2 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia.

Alonso was immediately replaced by Arbeloa -- they were teammates for Madrid, Liverpool and Spain and won the World Cup together in 2010.

"Real Madrid wishes to announce that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end," a statement said. "Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home."

Alonso, 42, arrived last May under high expectations as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement and pressure built as the team struggled to play well under his command. He had spats with players such as Vinicius Junior and widespread media reports said he lost control of the locker room.

Vinicius, and others, complained more than once of being substituted by the coach during matches. Some players publicly supported the coach late last year but the situation didn't appear to improve much.

After Sunday's loss in Jeddah, Alonso appeared to want his team to do a guard of honour for Barcelona during the awards ceremony but Kylian Mbappe and other players called him back and walked away.

Mbappe was the first player to bid farewell to Alonso on Monday. Mbappe praised and thanked Alonso in an Instagram story that accompanied a photo of him and the coach saluting each other.

"It's been short but it was a pleasure to play for you & learn from you," the France star wrote. "Thank you for giving me the confidence since Day 1. I will remember you as a manager who had clear ideas and knows many things about football. Best of luck for you(r) next chapter."