Real Madrid have appointed club legend Xabi Alonso as their new coach on a three-year contract, effective from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028.
In a statement on Saturday, the Spanish giants confirmed Alonso’s appointment as successor to Carlo Ancelotti, who departs to take charge of the Brazilian national team.
“Xabi Alonso will be the Real Madrid coach for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025, until June 30, 2028,” read a club statement.
“He is one of the biggest legends at Real Madrid and in world football. He wore our shirt in 236 games between 2009 and 2014 and won six trophies.”
Alonso, 43, leaves Bayer Leverkusen at the end of a historic Bundesliga season, during which he guided the German side to a league and German Cup double and did so without losing a single Bundesliga match. Leverkusen also reached the Europa League final, where they finished runners-up.
Return of a Madrid Icon
The former Spain, Liverpool, and Real Madrid midfielder enjoyed a glittering playing career, most notably winning the Champions League with Madrid in 2014. He now returns to the Santiago Bernabéu with high expectations.
Alonso will be officially unveiled on Monday at 10:30 GMT at the club’s training ground and will take charge of the team for the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. His first game as manager will be against Saudi side Al-Hilal on June 18 in Miami.
A New Era Begins
Carlo Ancelotti departs after a trophy-light season. Despite lifting the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, Madrid endured a Champions League quarter-final exit to Arsenal, and Barcelona won both the Copa del Rey and La Liga, leaving Los Blancos without a major domestic title.
Despite the high-profile signing of Kylian Mbappé, Ancelotti struggled to blend the Frenchman with Vinícius Júnior without compromising the team’s balance. While Mbappé’s 31 goals in La Liga look set to earn him the European Golden Shoe, Real Madrid’s overall performance was inconsistent, suffering 14 defeats, a stark contrast to their near-invincible form the previous season.
Alonso’s key task will be to restore defensive solidity while harnessing the explosive talents of his star-studded attack.
His stellar rise at Leverkusen has positioned him as one of the most sought-after managers in Europe, and Madrid now place their faith in the former midfield maestro to lead a new era.
