Real Madrid has officially appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager, marking his return to the club after a stellar playing career. He has signed a three-year contract and will be officially presented on Monday at the club’s training ground. Alonso’s first match will be on June 18 against Al-Hilal in the newly expanded Club World Cup.
Alonso takes over from Carlo Ancelotti, who has transitioned to a managerial role with the Brazil national team. The changeover had been anticipated for months as Ancelotti was seen as likely to depart.
With Alonso at the helm, Real Madrid looks to turn around after a period of underperformance, especially against rivals like Barcelona. His track record at Bayer Leverkusen showcases his potential, having led the club to success, including a championship title.
The new manager will need to quickly integrate his coaching philosophy with the current squad, including stars like Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, while addressing defensive weaknesses that plagued the team last season. Alonso’s tenure begins with considerable expectations, particularly in managing player transactions over the upcoming transfer window.
