Real Madrid have officially confirmed the highly anticipated appointment of Xabi Alonso as the club’s new head coach, signaling a significant and emotional return to the Santiago Bernabeu for one of their most celebrated former midfield legends.
At 42 years old, Alonso steps into the role following the departure of the renowned Italian coach Carlo Ancelotti, who leaves after an uncharacteristically trophyless season to take up the prestigious position as the head coach of the Brazil national football team.
Alonso joins Real Madrid fresh off a remarkable spell at German Bundesliga giants Bayer Leverkusen, where he not only guided the club to dethrone Bayern Munich and claim the Bundesliga title but also secured both the domestic cup and the German Super Cup, establishing himself as one of Europe’s most promising young managers during his inaugural full season in management.
In an official statement released by the club, Real Madrid expressed their excitement and confidence in their new manager, stating:
“Xabi Alonso will be Real Madrid’s manager for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. He returns as one of the best coaches in the world, after making history at Bayer Leverkusen. We welcome him back to the Bernabeu with open arms as we look forward to a successful era under his leadership.”
The club has scheduled Alonso’s formal unveiling ceremony for Monday, May 26, in Madrid, where he is expected to outline his vision and strategies for the team in his first official press conference as head coach.
Alonso inherits a star-studded and immensely talented squad that includes world-class players such as Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr., all poised to support the new coach’s ambitions. There are also strong rumors that Liverpool’s accomplished right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could be Alonso’s inaugural signing, potentially strengthening the team’s defensive options.
The Spaniard faces a relatively short preparatory period to implement his tactical philosophy and familiarize himself with the squad, as Real Madrid are set to begin their FIFA Club World Cup campaign against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on June 18, marking an early opportunity to demonstrate his impact on the team’s
performance.