Xabi Alonso Appointed New Real Madrid Coach Amid High Expectations

Madrid, Spain — Xabi Alonso has been officially announced as the new head coach of Real Madrid, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti. The 43-year-old signed a three-year contract starting June 1 and will guide the team through next month’s Club World Cup.

In a presentation at Madrid’s Valdebebas training ground, Alonso expressed his ambitions. “We want to bring emotion and joy to the fans,” he stated. “If we manage to do that, we’ll be an unstoppable force.”

Alonso’s coaching career has gained momentum since he took over Bayer Leverkusen in 2022, turning the struggling club into champions by winning the 2023-24 Bundesliga title without losing a single game. Alonso thanked Ancelotti for his influence, recognizing that “without his teaching, I probably wouldn’t be here.”

Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, remarked on Alonso’s return, noting his rich history with the club, including six trophies earned during his time as a player from 2009 to 2014. He emphasized the significance of Alonso’s development from coaching youth teams to now leading the first team.

Alonso aims to maximize the potential of star players such as Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, focusing on developing a flexible and dynamic style of play. “There are two players who make the difference, and we have to get the best out of them,” he said.

The pressure is high for Alonso, especially with recent performances from Real Madrid that saw them end the 2024-25 season without any major trophies. Following a challenging season where the club finished second in La Liga, Alonso is tasked with restoring the team’s competitive edge.

As he prepares for the Club World Cup, starting with their first match on June 18 in Miami, Alonso knows that success will be expected from the onset. His previous experiences, including a successful spell at Leverkusen, have prepared him for this moment.

“My link with Real Madrid has always been there,” Alonso reflected. “I feel like this is the beginning of something … I think the fans are excited to begin this new period.”