Xabi Alonso appointed Real Madrid manager on three-year deal

Real Madrid have officially announced the appointment of former midfielder Xabi Alonso as the club’s new manager, signing a contract that runs until June 30, 2028.

Alonso, who made 236 appearances for the Spanish giants as a player, takes over from Carlo Ancelotti, who has now taken up the role of head coach for Brazil’s national team. The 43-year-old will be unveiled at Real Madrid’s training ground on Monday.

Alonso’s managerial rise has been swift and impressive. After beginning his coaching career with Real Madrid’s under-14 team in 2018, he went on to lead Real Sociedad B before taking over at Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022. He transformed the struggling Bundesliga side, lifting them from near the bottom of the table to a sixth-place finish in his first season.

In the 2023–24 season, Alonso led Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title, achieving the feat without a single league defeat. The team also secured the German Cup, completing a historic domestic double. Their only loss of the season came in the Europa League final against Atalanta, ending an extraordinary 53-game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Despite a strong campaign, Leverkusen failed to retain their Bundesliga title this season, finishing second behind Bayern Munich. The club also exited the Champions League in the last 16, suffering defeat to Bayern, and were eliminated from the German Cup by third-tier Arminia Bielefeld in the semi-finals. Alonso had previously announced he would leave Leverkusen at the end of the season.

Alonso’s return to Madrid marks a significant moment in his career. A Champions League winner with the club in 2014 and a World Cup champion with Spain in 2010, he now steps into the managerial role with high expectations. His first official match will be in the Club World Cup against Al-Hilal on June 18. Real Madrid fans and football analysts alike are eager to see how he transitions into one of the sport’s most high-pressure positions.

Meanwhile, reports suggest former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is close to agreeing terms to take over from Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen. As Real Madrid turn the page to a new era, the spotlight now falls squarely on Alonso to continue the club’s legacy of success.