What Xabi Alonso's Real Madrid exit means for Trent Alexander-Arnold

It's a change of former Liverpool players at the helm of Real Madrid, with Xabi Alonso replaces by Alvaro Arbeloa following Sunday's defeat to Barcelona in the Super Cup

What Xabi Alonso's dismissal from Real Madrid means for Trent Alexander-Arnold(Image: Getty Images)

After six months at Real Madrid, Trent Alexander-Arnold is finally beginning to understand what it means to be a Galactico.

That inevitably means a managerial change every so often. Los Blancos are notorious for having the most fiery hot seat in world soccer, and few head coaches last long.

That is a change for Alexander-Arnold, who played under one manager for the first eight years of his senior career, and just two in nearly a decade at Anfield.

He's already equalled that number at the Bernabeu, with Xabi Alonso's departure confirmed on Monday, a little over 24 hours after Real lost to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.

Remarkably, Alonso's successor is another former Liverpool man, with Alexander-Arnold now playing under the guise of one-time Reds right-back Alvaro Arbeloa.

That will invariably have implications for the 27-year-old.

Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a good relationship with Alonso(Image: Getty Images)

Alexander-Arnold enjoyed a good relationship with Alonso. "He was an idol of mine. He was someone I looked up to, and I practiced a lot of the passing he would do," the Real defender said in October.

"We both came to the club at the same time, and it's a privilege to work with him and his staff. Dream come true for me," Alexander-Arnold said on a separate occasion.

Despite that, Alonso's style and tactical approach did not necessarily compliment Alexander-Arnold's skill set.

Alonso often deployed a 3-5-2 system, which incorporated wing-backs. Predominantly a right-back, who thrives when he is given more time on the ball in a deeper role, that didn't suit Real's summer arrival.

There are other reasons Alonso's exit could have a positive impact on Alexander-Arnold.

Alexander-Arnold will have a new manager when he returns from injury(Image: Getty Images)

The former Red had certainly not established himself as first-choice on the right flank, with Dani Carvajal regularly selected to start in a full-back or wing-back role.

Indeed, prior to Alexander-Arnold's muscle injury in December, he had struggled to hold down a regular spot in the team.

Federico Valverde has also played in that role, while Alexander-Arnold has been trailed in midfield.

It's unclear at this stage what system Arbeloa will utilize, but one that involves typical full-backs would certainly suit Alexander-Arnold.

Real's No. 12 is currently injured and is not expected back until February. He has played just 16 times since his controversial departure from Anfield in May.