Chelsea appointed Xabi Alonso as the club's manager on Sunday on a four-year deal with the Spaniard the latest coach tasked with turning around the club's fortunes.

Referencing Madrid sacking German manager Jupp Heynckes in 1998 eight days after winning the Champions League for failing to win La Liga, Klopp said "it's always like that from Madrid when they're not first in the table."

Xabi Alonso's exit from Real Madrid sent shockwaves across the sporting spectrum.

Xabi Alonso had reportedly lost the Real Madrid dressing room, with the 3-2 defeat against Barcelona being the final nail in the coffin for him.

Xabi Alonso's decision was overruled by Kylian Mbappe after Real Madrid were beaten by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.

Real Madrid said Monday that coach Xabi Alonso has left the club by mutual consent, to be replaced by Alvaro Arbeloa.

Barcelona retained the Spanish Super Cup with a thrilling 3-2 Clasico win over Real Madrid in Saudi Arabia on Sunday.

Barcelona vs Real Madrid, Spanish Super Cup 2026 Final Highlights: Raphinha slammed two goals to fire Barcelona to their second-straight Supercopa de Espana title, over Real Madrid in Jeddah.

Xabi Alonso has steadied Real Madrid's ship in recent weeks after a tumultuous period but the Supercopa de Espana 'El Clasico' final against Barcelona on Sunday seems a make-or-break moment for the Spanish coach.

Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone engaged in a heated spat during the Supercopa de Espana semi-final.