Real Madrid appoint Xabi Alonso as coach

Madrid: Real Madrid has made official the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the new first team coach for the next three seasons. After several months of conversations and doubts about the future of Carlo Ancelotti, the club has finally opted for a new project and a figure who combines tactical knowledge, international experience and a deep link with the institution.

Xabi Alonso arrives in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout after a brilliant spell in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, where he revolutionised the German team with modern, versatile and highly competitive football. Under his management, Leverkusen won the German Bundesliga unbeaten, won the DFB-Pokal and made a great impression throughout Europe for their style of play and tactical solidity. His work did not go unnoticed by Real Madrid, who are looking to resurrect their team with a new style.

The Basque coach has shown a clear preference for a system based on three central defenders, which allows him to maintain control of the game from the back and offer numerical superiority in the ball’s exit. His approach combines positional rigour, high pressing and quick transitions, without renouncing possession as the main tool to dominate matches. In Germany, this scheme was key to maximising the virtues of his players, most of whom were revalued.

Xabi Alonso arrives to bring Real Madrid a fresh vision and a winning mentality, coupled with an adaptability that he has demonstrated since his beginnings as a coach in the Madrid youth academy and in the Real Sociedad reserve team. His calm leadership, tactical intelligence and deep knowledge of modern football make him an ambitious and promising choice for the future of the club.

This new chapter also marks the homecoming of a former footballer. Xabi Alonso returns to what was his home for five seasons as a player, a period in which he became a reference in the midfield and left an indelible mark with his elegance, calmness and vision of the game. Now, he returns to lead from the bench and continue writing his story at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid C. F. announces that Xabi Alonso will be the coach of Real Madrid for the next three seasons, from 1 June 2025 until 30 June 2028, the Spanish MARCA newspaper reported. Xabi Alonso is also a legend of the Spanish national team, with which he won one World Cup (2010) and two European Championships (2008 and 2012), in 113 international matches.

Xabi Alonso began his coaching career in the Real Madrid youth academy, managing the Infantil A team during the 2018-2019 season, with which he was proclaimed league champion and winner of the Champions Tournament.

Now, he returns to Real Madrid as one of the best coaches in the world, after making history at Bayer Leverkusen, with whom he has won the German Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup in three seasons.

Xabi Alonso will be unveiled as Real Madrid’s new head coach on Monday, 26 May in an event that will take place at Real Madrid City Prior to that, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will welcome Xabi Alonso for the protocolary signing ceremony that will tie the new coach to the club for the next three seasons. After the presentation, Xabi Alonso will speak to the media in the press room at Real Madrid City.