La Liga giants Real Madrid have announced that head coach Xabi Alonso has left the club by mutual consent, after 28 games in charge at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The former Los Blancos star was appointed as Real manager in the summer after he had led Bayer Leverkusen to an historic Bundesliga title in 2024, and now he has been replaced by Real Madrid B coach Alvaro Arbeloa who has been put in temporary charge.
After Los Blancos lost the Supercopa de Espana to Barcelona on Sunday Madrid president Florentino Perez moved to back his manager, saying: “He’s going to stay and he’s going to help us win titles.” But the pressure was mounting, with Los Blancos trailing Barcelona by four points in the La Liga table and with Villarreal on Real’s shoulders, and having lost two of their last three Champions League games. Alonso has struggled with injuries and his team has been defensively suspect of late and, this Saturday, he was facing a must win game against Levante, while Barcelona visit Real Sociedad.
But Perez’ words have become meaningless rather quicker than Alonso expected and the news has sent shock waves around Europe.
But ‘Flick is going nowhere’ says Barca boss
After winning the treble in his first season as Barcelona boss Hansi Flick has the freedom of Catalonia and, with the 2026 Supercopa already in the bag, fans at the Camp Nou are hoping the German coach will be in Catalona for the foreseeable future. His current contract runs until 2027 and Flick is not keen on long term deals, but Barca president Joan Laporta has moved to reassure Barcelona supporters this week, saying: “I tell the fans to be calm becaue he has a contract for more seasons and, most importantly, Hansi Flick’s contract is made with the heart and from the league he has established with the city of Barcelona where he feels very comfortable.”
Laporta is confident his man will be at the club for a few more campaigns to come and he was speaking after his latest triumph, after Barcelona beat Real Madrid 3-2 to win the Supercopa. It was another superb night for the Blaugrana who had Raphinha to thank for two goals while Frenkie de Jong was sent off for a nasty challenge on Kylian Mbappe.
There is no love lost between the two El Clasico giants but Barca have the upper hand, winning their last three finals against Real Madrid as well as beating them to the 2024/25 league title. The SBOTOP La Liga 2026 betting odds say the title will stay in Catalonia this season and the Supercopa win gives them another psychological advantage. Teenage sensation Lamie Yamal upped the rivalry as he snubbed the Los Blancos players during the guard of honour after the game, which was painful for Madrid fans and piled more pressure on the now ex Real boss Alonso.
Cancelo flies in to Barcelona
La Liga title chasers Barcelona have made an early move in the January transfer market with the news that Portuguese wingback Joao Cancelo is heading back to the Camp Nou.
The 31 year old spent a season on loan with the Catalans when he was a Manchester City player and then, at the end of the 2023/24 campaign he headed off to the Saudi Pro League to play for Al Hilal. His return has been delayed for a few days but Cancelo arrived in Barcelona on Monday to complete his move in a loan deal which can be converted to a permanent transfer at the end of the season.
Barcelona had some competition for his signature, with Inter Milan, where Cancelo spent a season in 2018 before his big money move to Manchester City, with Nerazzurri officials reportedly making an agreement with Al Hilal. But Cancelo was determined to return to La Liga and initially planned to complete his medical last Friday, but Barca bosses decided to finish the formalities on the club’s return from the Supercopa de Espana in Saudi.
Expect an announcement on Tuesday when Barcelona hope to unveil their latest signing.
And across the El Clasico divide it looks like Real Madrid may be saying goodbye to one of their fullbacks, as well as their manager. The La Liga 2026 news outlets are reporting interest in French left back Ferland Mendy from Premier League surprise package Sunderland. The 30 year old attracted attention from the Black Cats, who exceeded all expectations in the first half of the campaign, and they are ready to table an ambitious £10m bid for the France international.
Mendy’s future at the Santiago Bernebau is far from certain. He has made 126 appearances is six years at the club and competition for places at left back are fierce at the club, with Fran Garcia, David Alaba and Alvaro Carreras all able to play on the left side of defence. With Sunderland’s survival all but guaranteed Mendy may be amenable to a move up to the North East of England with more opportunity for game time.
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