Real Madrid has officially announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the new first-team manager following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso has long been tipped as Ancelotti’s successor. As stated in Madrid’s triumphant announcement of the Spaniard’s arrival, it was with the club’s youth team that Alonso gained his first coaching experience six years ago. Reports of his return to the capital intensified after his decision to step down as Bayer Leverkusen manager at the end of the 2024–25 campaign was confirmed in May.
Ancelotti’s appointment as the new Brazil national team manager came two weeks prior, leaving Madrid in a state of uncertainty before Alonso’s arrival was officially confirmed on Sunday, a day after the team concluded their La Liga campaign with a 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad.
A formal statement from Real Madrid described Alonso as “one of the greatest legends” in the club’s illustrious history, confirming that he will take over the role on June 1, 2025, after signing a contract running until June 30, 2028.
The early start date ensures that Alonso will lead Madrid in the inaugural expanded Club World Cup, which the Spanish side will kick off against Saudi Pro League club Al Hilal on June 18.
As with all competitions Real Madrid participates in, Alonso will be expected to win this international tournament. The former Basque-born midfielder has not previously faced the demands of a top-tier club during his coaching career – prior to leading Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic double in 2023–24, the German club had never won the Bundesliga – but he will be well-acquainted with the unique pressures that Madrid presents.
During a glittering playing career that began at his boyhood club Real Sociedad and concluded under Ancelotti at Bayern Munich – including a Champions League-winning spell with Liverpool – Alonso spent five years marshalling Real Madrid’s midfield. The intelligent defensive midfielder witnessed Manuel Pellegrini sacked in 2010 after setting a club points record, and was a loyal lieutenant to José Mourinho’s side that surpassed that record before ending Madrid’s long wait for Champions League glory alongside Ancelotti in 2014.
When it became clear that Ancelotti would be leaving this summer, he was asked about the prospect of handing over his seat to Alonso. As generous as ever, the revered Italian smiled: “He has done an amazing job and the doors are open for him because he has proven he is among the best in the world.”