Xabi Alonso appointed Real Madrid new manager

Real Madrid announced on Sunday that Xabi Alonso has been named the club’s new manager, marking a return to the Santiago Bernabéu for the Spaniard, who spent six seasons there as a player and won multiple trophies.

Alonso has signed a three-year deal through June 2028, taking over from Carlo Ancelotti, who oversaw his final match on Saturday. After ending his second spell at Madrid without securing any major silverware, Ancelotti will move on to coach the Brazil national team.

Previously managing Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso confirmed his departure from the German club this month. He took the helm in October 2022 and led them to a historic season, winning the Bundesliga unbeaten, clinching the German Cup, and reaching the Europa League final. Although his contract ran until 2026, Leverkusen agreed to release him early at his request.

Alonso will be officially presented as Real Madrid’s head coach on Monday and will begin his duties on June 1, ahead of the expanded Club World Cup in the United States next month.

As a player, Alonso joined Real from Liverpool in 2009, making 236 appearances and winning a LaLiga title, two Copa del Rey trophies, and the club’s long-awaited 10th Champions League title.

His coaching journey began at Real Madrid’s youth academy, where he managed the Under-14 side to league and Champions tournament victories in the 2018–19 season. He later managed Real Sociedad’s B team before taking on the Leverkusen job.

Alonso aims to emulate fellow former Real midfielder Zinedine Zidane, who returned to the club as manager and secured three consecutive Champions League titles.

Real Madrid are set to finish second in LaLiga behind Barcelona, who also defeated them in both the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals. The team was eliminated in the Champions League quarter-finals by Arsenal.

Alonso's first challenge will come at the Club World Cup, where Real Madrid will face Al-Hilal (Saudi Arabia), Pachuca (Mexico), and RB Salzburg (Austria) in the new 32-team format beginning on June 14.