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Real Madrid: Manager Fired, Copa Exit, New Coach Faces Pressure
17 Jan
Summary
- Xabi Alonso dismissed after 31 matches despite strong league and Champions League performance.
- New coach Alvaro Arbeloa saw the team eliminated from Copa del Rey in his debut match.
- Villarreal, in third place, aims for victory against sixth-place Betis in a key European race match.
Real Madrid is navigating a period of significant upheaval following the dismissal of manager Xabi Alonso, just 31 matches into his tenure. Despite strong league positioning and a robust Champions League campaign, the club parted ways with the highly-regarded coach after a loss to Barcelona. Former player Alvaro Arbeloa has been appointed as the interim head coach.
Arbeloa's immediate challenge was the Copa del Rey Round of 16 match, where Real Madrid suffered a surprising 3-2 defeat to second-division side Albacete. This Copa exit compounds the club's recent turmoil and places immense pressure on Arbeloa as he prepares for his first league fixture at the Bernabeu against Levante.
Elsewhere, third-place Villarreal, featuring Tani Oluwaseyi and Tajon Buchanan, aims to extend their winning streak against sixth-place Real Betis. Villarreal manager Marcelino acknowledges the difficulty of the fixture but remains focused on maintaining his team's strong performance and title ambitions.
