Xabi Alonso replaces Ancelotti: Real Madrid confirms three-year deal for new manager

Real Madrid have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a three-year contract.

The 43-year-old replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who has taken over the Brazil national team following the end of his second spell at the Bernabeu.

Alonso joins from Bayer Leverkusen, where he spent two-and-a-half seasons and led them to historic domestic success.

He will officially begin his tenure on June 1 and be unveiled at a press conference tomorrow.

Alonso’s first competitive games will come at the Club World Cup in the United States, with Madrid drawn alongside Al-Hilal, Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg.

He made 236 appearances for the club between 2009 and 2014, winning six major trophies.

His return marks the beginning of what the club describes as a ‘new era’ under a coach they believe is ready for the job.

After retiring in 2017, Alonso began coaching within the Madrid academy and later moved to Real Sociedad B before being appointed by Leverkusen in 2022.

He inherited a team in the relegation zone and guided them to a sixth-place finish that season, before delivering an unbeaten domestic campaign in 2023-24 to win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal.

Although they fell to Atalanta in the Europa League final, Alonso’s side captured the German Super Cup the following season and finished second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich.

His tactical acumen earned admiration across Europe. He was linked with top jobs at Liverpool and Bayern before committing his future to Leverkusen last year.

Madrid have now appointed Alonso amid growing calls for change following a difficult 2024-25 season.

Ancelotti’s side were knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal in the quarter-finals and lost four times to Barcelona, including in two finals.

Madrid ended the La Liga season in second place behind their rivals and will hope Alonso’s arrival sparks a resurgence.

His appointment has already coincided with a shift in transfer strategy, with Dean Huijsen arriving from Bournemouth and Trent Alexander-Arnold expected to follow.

Alonso is now tasked with making an immediate impact, with little time to settle before Madrid chase more silverware at the Club World Cup next month.