Real Madrid confirms Xabi Alonso is returning to “one of the best coaches in the world” – Country
Xabi Alonso returns to Real Madrid to take over a club that failed to meet expectations for the season.
The Spanish powerhouse announced that it would hire Alonso to replace Carlo Ancelotti on Sunday, who will take over the job in Brazil. The club said Alonso will take over on June 1 and will sign a contract in June 2028.
He will be coaching on Monday.
The 65-year-old Ancelotti is about to set out after four mostly successful seasons in Madrid. He bids Saturday's farewell to Saturday in the team's final Spanish League match. Ancelotti's contract lasts until the end of next season, but the club left on Friday after he has been announced as the next Brazilian coach.
Madrid started winning the European Super Cup this season, but most of them have struggled since then, failing to lift another trophy, losing all four of the “Krasico” matches against rival Barcelona, which made the league and cup championships.
Ancelotti said on Friday he felt Alonso had the potential to succeed in Madrid.
“I don't want to give advice because everyone has their own ideas about football,” he said. “I can only say that he is lucky to be a coach at Real Madrid. I wish him all the best and all the luck in the world. I think he has the attributes to coach this team. I hope he likes it.”
The club's official TV channel prepared a videotape, which included a player and coach, a highlight of his career, and said: “Now, he faces the biggest challenge facing any coach before him, namely sitting on the bench in Real Madrid.”
Alonso, 43, returns to a familiar environment.
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“Alonso is one of the biggest legends of Real Madrid and world football. He defended our shirts in 236 official matches between 2009 and 2014. He won six titles during this period: the 10th European Cup in Lisbon, one European Super Cup, one league champion, two Spanish Cups and Spanish Super Cup,” the club said.
“Now, he has made history with Bayer Leverkusen and returned to Real Madrid and is one of the best coaches in the world,” the club said.
As a coach, Alonso led Leverkusen to an unprecedented double in the German League and Cup in his first full season after the team took over in the league relegation zone this season.
His team remains the only one to be an undefeated all-area campaign. Leverkusen's only defeat in 2023-24 was heading to Atlanta in the Europa League final and won the 2024 German Cup three days later.
Leverkusen was unbeaten in 35 matches in Bundesliga and ended in August 2024 with Leipzig losing 3-2 to Leipzig, Alonso's side wasted two goals in a missed lead.
“You not only train us, but also inspired us,” Captain Leverkusen Granit Xhaka wrote on Instagram after Alonso confirmed his departure. “We will take your course far beyond the field.”
As a player in Spain and Madrid, Alonso demonstrated his understanding of the gaming and technical skills he created in time and space and provided opportunities for others. Real Sociedad and Liverpool previously benefited from his intelligence in the midfield. He helped the latter win the Champions League in 2005.
Alonso starred in the Madrid player, winning six titles, including the Spanish League in 2012 and the Champions League in 2014, and then won three Bundesliga alongside Bayern Munich.
Madrid always has a feeling. The club prides itself on coaching or management positions like Zinedine Zidane or Jorge Valdano, and Alonso seems to have been coached after his teammates’ career.
Alonso began his coaching career with Madrid's youth team before returning to another former club Real Sociedad to take over its reserves. He led it to advance.
He exceeded expectations after Leverkusen sports director Simon Rolfes and CEO Fernando Carro won his first job in senior management in October 2022.
Now he will face different needs in Madrid, where he will be responsible for responding to the Barcelona side led by outstanding Lamine Yamal and Brazilian striker Raphinha, and has been backed by local young stars such as Pedri and Gavi.
After they failed to help the team succeed after the season ended, he will have to put the team's top stars – Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior on track.
Despite his successful leadership of Madrid to three Champions League titles, Ancelotti is considered a coach who largely lets the players go, filling their personal glory with domination.
Alonso may be more structured and have a clear idea of what he wants every player to fit his team. One priority will be strengthening the defense amid severe injuries last season, which undermines Ancelotti's hopes of defending the Spanish and Champions League titles.
Madrid has signed at Dean Huijsen, signed by Spanish defender Dean Huijsen. More arrivals may be possible.
No matter which player comes or goes, Alonso faces the same demands – bringing Madrid back to Spain and challenging for the record 16th European Championship.
This is just his second job among senior executives.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
