Xabi Alonso has officially embarked on his new role as the head coach of Real Madrid, marking the occasion with an optimistic message during his presentation at the Valdebebas training facility on Monday.
The former midfield maestro described his appointment as the beginning of a significant transformation for the club.
The 43-year-old tactician was unveiled as the new manager just a day after being handed a three-year contract to take over from Carlo Ancelotti. Ancelotti, who guided the club to multiple trophies during his two stints, is set to lead the Brazil national team.
Alonso takes over at a challenging time for Los Blancos, who endured a frustrating 2024 season. The team relinquished their La Liga crown to fierce rivals Barcelona, fell to the Catalan side in both the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa finals, and were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the quarter-final stage by English side Arsenal.
Speaking during his official introduction, Alonso expressed his belief that this moment signals a fresh chapter in the club’s journey. “It’s the start of an era,” he stated.
He went on to say, “The Real Madrid fans are excited to begin this new era, to grow, and to make the history of this club even greater.”
Describing the emotional weight of the day, Alonso continued, “It’s a special day. It’s a day I will have marked in my calendar for life. I am very happy to be here, in what I feel is my home.”
Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to an extraordinary domestic double in the 2023–24 campaign, also reflected on what motivated his return to Madrid more than a decade after leaving as a player.
“We have fantastic players, we have a team that has a lot of potential, [capable of] a very good present and a very good future,” he remarked.
He added, “That gives me a lot of reason to come here with a lot of energy and a lot of hope that I can get the best out of all the players and build a great team.”
Alonso expressed his strong belief in the club’s ability to continue achieving at the highest level, in keeping with its proud European legacy. “[I have] the conviction that we can achieve big things, worthy of Real Madrid, worthy of all these European Cups, of all these accomplishments made over so many years.”
He also described his vision for the kind of team he hopes to build, saying, “I want a team that transmits emotion, energy, ambitious play and connects with the fans.”
During his address, Alonso took time to recognize the contributions of his predecessor, Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian coach, who managed Alonso during their time together at both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, departs after leading the Spanish giants to three Champions League triumphs, two Club World Cups, and two La Liga championships.
What you should know
Xabi Alonso returns to Real Madrid not only as a club legend but also as one of Europe’s most promising young coaches. Fresh from his double-winning season with Bayer Leverkusen, he inherits a Madrid squad hungry for success and seeks to inspire a new era of emotional, energetic football at the Bernabéu.
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