Xabi Alonso Set For Grand Return To Real Madrid As Head Coach

Real Madrid have announced Xabi Alonso as their new head coach on a three-year contract. The former midfielder will be presented tomorrow, May 26. This marks a big return for the Spanish football legend, who played for the club between 2009 and 2014.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Real Madrid confirmed on Sunday that Xabi Alonso will be the new head coach after Carlo Ancelotti’s departure. Alonso has signed a three-year contract, lasting from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. The official presentation will be tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. local time at Real Madrid City. Club president Florentino Perez will welcome Alonso for the signing ceremony, and then Alonso will talk to the media.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

This is a return home for Alonso, deeply connected to Real Madrid as a player and coach. As a player, he made 236 appearances for Los Blancos from 2009 to 2014, winning six titles, including one Champions League and one LaLiga title. Interestingly, Alonso started coaching in Real Madrid’s youth academy, managing the Infantil A (U14) team in the 2018-2019 season. He won the league and Champions Tournament.

Alonso arrives at Santiago Bernabéu as one of the top young coaches in world football after a great time at Bayer Leverkusen. He led the German club to a historic Bundesliga title in the 2023-24 season. He also won the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup in three seasons there. He replaces Ancelotti, who left to be the new head coach of the Brazil national team after the LaLiga season ended on Saturday.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Alonso has the challenge of keeping Real Madrid successful while possibly adding his own tactical ideas. The club trusts the Spaniard’s fresh ideas and winning mentality, as well as his tactical intelligence and deep knowledge of modern football. After tomorrow’s presentation, Alonso will start preparing for the 2025-26 season. He carries high expectations after his impressive coaching at Leverkusen.

Real Madrid finished the 2024-25 LaLiga season in second place, only three points behind champions Barcelona. The team reached the Champions League semi-finals but were eliminated by Manchester City. With the summer transfer window coming, all eyes will be on how Alonso shapes the squad to compete for major honors in his first season as Real Madrid’s head coach.