Home Football BACK HOME: Real Madrid confirm Xabi Alonso as their new head coach with first presentation on a three-year deal after Carlo Ancelotti’s exit to Brazil

BACK HOME: Real Madrid confirm Xabi Alonso as their new head coach with first presentation on a three-year deal after Carlo Ancelotti’s exit to Brazil

Football — 05/27/2025

Real Madrid have announced Xabi Alonso as their new manager, replacing Carlo Ancelotti in the Bernabeu hotseat.

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WHAT HAPPENED?

Alonso, who played for the La Liga giants between 2009-14, leaves Bayer Leverkusen after achieving extraordinary success, notably beating Bayern Munich to the Bundesliga title last season. He now succeeds Ancelotti, who has departed to take on the Brazil national team job after a trophyless campaign at the Bernabeu.

WHAT REAL MADRID SAID

A Real Madrid statement said: “Real Madrid CF announces that Xabi Alonso will be Real Madrid’s manager for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. Xabi Alonso is one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid and world football. Now he returns to Real Madrid as one of the best coaches in the world, after making history at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the League, Cup, and German Super Cup in three seasons.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Alonso will be unveiled at an event in Madrid on Monday before getting to work. He will be tasked with unlocking the potential of a squad featuring global superstars Jude Bellingham, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is set to become his first signing.

Club Atletico de Madrid v Real Madrid - Supercopa: Second Leg

WHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Alonso will not have long to get his feet under the table, with Real’s Club World Cup campaign beginning against Al-Hilal on Wednesday June 18. He will also hold his first press conference on Monday May 26.