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Real Madrid Replaces Coach Xabi Alonso with B Team Manager Alvaro Arbeloa

Real Madrid's defender Alvaro Arbeloa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 29, 2015. (AFP)
Real Madrid's defender Alvaro Arbeloa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 29, 2015. (AFP)
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Real Madrid Replaces Coach Xabi Alonso with B Team Manager Alvaro Arbeloa

Real Madrid's defender Alvaro Arbeloa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 29, 2015. (AFP)
Real Madrid's defender Alvaro Arbeloa celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match Real Madrid CF vs UD Almeria at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on April 29, 2015. (AFP)

Real Madrid replaced coach Xabi Alonso with B team manager Alvaro Arbeloa on Monday.

Madrid said in a statement that Alonso left by mutual agreement.

The announcement came a day after Madrid lost to Barcelona 3-2 in the final of the Spanish Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. It ended a tumultuous stint that lasted less than eight months for the former Madrid and Spain midfielder.

“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,” Madrid 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.”

The club thanked Alonso and his coaching staff for “their hard work and dedication throughout this time and wish them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives.”

Alonso was under pressure as the team struggled to play well under his command. He had spats with players such as Vinícius Júnior and widespread media reports said he'd lost the locker room.

Madrid trails Barcelona by four points at the halfway point of La Liga.

Like Alonso, Arbeloa is a former player of the Spanish powerhouse, helping it win eight titles from 2009-16, including two European Cups and one Spanish league. Arbeloa also helped Spain win the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.

He had been coaching the B team since June. He had also coached youth teams at the club.

Alonso arrived in May with high expectations and a contract to June 2028. He led Bayer Leverkusen to an unprecedented German league and cup double in his first full season after taking over the team when it was in the Bundesliga relegation zone the season before.

As a midfielder, Alonso won six titles with Madrid from 2009-14 and a World Cup and Euros champion teammate of Arbeloa's.

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Slot Says Liverpool Monitoring Player Workloads amid Congested Schedule

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Liverpool - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 11, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Liverpool - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 11, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts REUTERS/Scott Heppell
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Slot Says Liverpool Monitoring Player Workloads amid Congested Schedule

Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Liverpool - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 11, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts REUTERS/Scott Heppell
Soccer Football - Premier League - Sunderland v Liverpool - Stadium of Light, Sunderland, Britain - February 11, 2026 Liverpool manager Arne Slot reacts REUTERS/Scott Heppell

Liverpool are closely monitoring ‌player workloads to avoid further injuries during a congested run of fixtures, manager Arne Slot said ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup fourth-round tie against Brighton & Hove Albion.

Midfielder Wataru Endo suffered an injury in Wednesday’s 1-0 win over Sunderland, adding to Liverpool’s growing list of absentees, with defenders Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong already sidelined.

"We have three clear priorities: FA Cup, Champions League qualification ‌and Champions ‌League," Slot told reporters at Anfield ‌on ⁠Friday.

"We are also ⁠aware of the limited options, so the load management is important, the last thing we need is another injury, so that is always the tough thing for a manager, to make the best decision every time. It wouldn't be the ⁠first time a player gets injured ‌if they have to ‌play three (games) in seven (days).

"Most important thing is we train ‌today, listen to the players, see how they ‌feel and make the best decisions."

Slot confirmed Endo faces a long spell out with an ankle injury and said academy players could be involved against Brighton, said Reuters.

"I ‌am always looking at the younger players, a few of them are closer ⁠and closer ⁠to first-team football," the Dutch manager said.

"Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni have had that and games like this could be an option, but it is about the right balance. We play a strong team and who to play is something to think about."

Liverpool are sixth in the Premier League with 42 points from 26 games, 13 behind leaders Arsenal. They have also secured a direct place in the Champions League playoffs with a top-eight finish.

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Flick Calls Atletico Thrashing a ‘Wake-up Call’ as Simeone Hails Electric Energy at Metropolitano 

Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, left, and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick greet each other before the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, left, and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick greet each other before the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
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Flick Calls Atletico Thrashing a ‘Wake-up Call’ as Simeone Hails Electric Energy at Metropolitano 

Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, left, and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick greet each other before the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)
Atletico Madrid's head coach Diego Simeone, left, and Barcelona's head coach Hansi Flick greet each other before the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg soccer match between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona in Madrid, Spain, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (AP)

Barcelona manager ‌Hansi Flick labelled his team's humbling 4-0 defeat by Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final first leg as a "wake-up call" and urged his side to learn from the chastening experience.

At a raucous Metropolitano Stadium, Atletico handed the defending champions their heaviest loss of the season, leaving Barcelona a mountain to climb in the return leg at Camp Nou.

Flick, candid in his post-match assessment, bemoaned his team's lack of cohesion but remained defiant about their ‌prospects in the ‌second leg.

"Look, we didn't play well ‌as ⁠a team. And ⁠when you don't play like that, you don't play well. There was a long distance between players. There was a lack of pressing," Flick told reporters.

"Sometimes it's good to learn a lesson like that. Today was a wake-up call, a tough defeat. We have to accept this lesson."

The ⁠German coach admitted his side were second-best ‌from the opening whistle, though ‌he saw some improvement after halftime.

"We didn't play well from the ‌first minute. We have a young team, but that's ‌no excuse. The second half was better... But we'll fight. We have two 45-minute halves to score two goals in each half," Flick said.

While Flick addressed his team's shortcomings, Atletico boss ‌Diego Simeone was full of praise for both his players and the electric atmosphere ⁠at the ⁠Metropolitano, which he said spurred them to a standout performance.

"You could feel incredible energy in the stadium, and life is energy," Simeone said.

"It was directed from our fans towards us, and we were able to match it... I think we played very well. Today's match will be remembered regardless of how the tie ends.

"Our fans need these matches, these important nights. We were able to repay their enthusiasm in the best possible way."

The second leg takes place in a fortnight, with Barcelona left clinging to Flick's resolve and Atletico inspired by their commanding lead.

Sports

Arsenal, Man City Eye Trophy Haul, Macclesfield More FA Cup ‘Miracles’ 

Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 11, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 11, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Arsenal, Man City Eye Trophy Haul, Macclesfield More FA Cup ‘Miracles’ 

Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 11, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - Premier League - Manchester City v Fulham - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - February 11, 2026 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Arsenal and Manchester City take a break from their battle at the top of the Premier League to try and remain on course for a quadruple this weekend as Wigan and Salford seek monumental FA Cup shocks.

Aston Villa and Newcastle are aiming to end their seven-decade waits for FA Cup glory when they face off in the tie of the round.

Sixth-tier Macclesfield produced arguably the biggest ever upset in the competition's history by knocking out holders Crystal Palace in the last round and have another Premier League scalp in their sights against Brentford.

AFP Sport looks at three of the talking points ahead of fourth round weekend:

Arsenal, City on course for unprecedented quadruple

City have already matched the greatest season in English football history three years ago by joining Manchester United's class of 1998/99 in winning the Champions League, Premier League and FA Cup in the same season.

But no side has ever won all three of those titles plus the League Cup.

Arsenal and City will face off for the first silverware of the season next month and the unprecedented quadruple remains on for both clubs.

The Gunners hold a four-point lead over Pep Guardiola's men at the top of the Premier League, but City have home advantage when the sides meet in April.

Both also progressed directly to the last 16 of the Champions League.

And it would be a huge surprise if they are not in the hat for round five on Monday.

The Gunners host Wigan, winners of the FA Cup in 2013, who currently sit in the League One relegation zone.

Fourth-tier Salford, co-owned by United legends David Beckham and Gary Neville, head to the Etihad hoping to avoid a repeat of the 8-0 thrashing they suffered at the hands of City last season.

Can Villa end trophy drought?

Villa are the best of the rest behind the Premier League's top two, but with winning the title now a distant dream, Unai Emery's men are aiming to end a 30-year wait to win a major trophy.

Villa's last FA Cup success was back in 1957, two years after Newcastle last lifted the trophy.

The Magpies ended their 70-year drought for domestic silverware by winning the League Cup last season.

Sitting 10th in the Premier League, Eddie Howe's side may need FA Cup glory to salvage an otherwise disappointing campaign.

However, Newcastle have struggled on the road all season and are likely to be without influential captain Bruno Guimaraes due to a hamstring injury.

Macclesfield seek another 'miracle'

The 117 places that separated Nations League North Macclesfield from Palace was the biggest gap ever overcome by the underdog in FA Cup history.

But they could break their own record on Monday when Brentford, who sit seventh in the top flight, visit Moss Rose.

"We went into the Crystal Palace game thinking it would take a miracle, but on the day the lads were outstanding and were fully-deserved winners," said Macclesfield boss John Rooney, the brother of former England and Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney.

"There will be a lot more eyes on us, expecting an upset, but that's testament to the club, to the players, to the staff, everyone who made the day possible."