By our reporter 26-5-2025
Real Madrid Monday unveiled Xabi Alonso as manager of the Spanish League giants, replacing the legendary Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso, 43, who played under Ancelotti during his days at Real Madrid signed a three-year contract and he is expected to take charge of the club on June 1. His first assignment would be to lead the team in their campaign at the Club World Cup.
“We want to bring emotion and joy to the fans,” Alonso said, in a speech at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground on Monday. “We want those who come to the stadium to enjoy themselves, and those watching on television to say ‘that’s my Real Madrid.’ If we manage to do that, we’ll be an unstoppable force.”
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez back Alonso to succeed with the club.
“Today a new coach arrives, who’s already one of the best in the world, and knows what this Real Madrid shirt means,” Pérez said.
“We all knew what your destiny would be, when you first sat on a bench in 2018, to coach the under 14s. Today you return to Real Madrid as first team coach, to face one of the biggest challenges of your life.”
Alonso made 236 appearances as a Real Madrid player between 2009 and 2014, winning six trophies, and later began his coaching career at the club’s academy. Before joining Madrid, he was coach of Bayer Leverkusen a club he led to a historic win of the German Bundesliga and German Cup in 2024. He would be replaced by Erik ten Hag former Manchester United coach.
Meanwhile Ancelotti bid his goodbye to Real Madrid last Saturday after their 2-0 last game of the season with against Real Sociedad.