Xabi Alonso at his final Bayer Leverkusen game
Xabi Alonso is the new manager of Real Madrid
Real Madrid have confirmed football's worst-kept secret: Xabi Alonso is their new manager.
The former Spain, Liverpool and Madrid midfielder has been announced as the club's replacement for Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian is moving into international management with Brazil after Los Blancos decided to part company with the legendary multi-time Champions League winner.
In comes Alonso, for his second senior managerial role, having impressed in his first, at German club Bayer Leverkusen. Alonso lead Die Werkself to the Bundesliga title in his debut campaign - shedding the club's cruel 'Neverkusen' tag - as they swept to the championship unbeaten. They also won the German Cup and looked set for a remarkable treble, only to lose the Europa League Final to Atalanta.
His second season saw Bayer unable to usurp Bayern Munich once more, but Alonso departed the BayArena a hero, having agreed to take charge in the Spanish capital.
He has signed a three-year deal with Real, a club statement confirmed. It read: "Real Madrid CF announces that Xabi Alonso will be Real Madrid's manager for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028.
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"Xabi Alonso is one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid and world football. He wore our shirt in 236 official matches between 2009 and 2014. During that time, he won six titles: the tenth European Cup in Lisbon, one European Super Cup, one La Liga title, two Copa del Rey titles, and one Spanish Super Cup. Xabi Alonso is also a legend of the Spanish national team, with which he won 1 World Cup (2010) and 2 European Championships (2008 and 2012), in 113 international matches.
"Xabi Alonso began his coaching career at Real Madrid's youth academy, managing the U14 A team during the 2018-2019 season, where he won the League and the Champions Tournament. Now he returns to Real Madrid as one of the best coaches in the world, after making history at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the League, Cup, and German Super Cup in three seasons."
He will formally be unveiled at a press conference on Monday.
Xabi Alonso lifts the Bundesliga title during his debut campaign at Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso lifts the Bundesliga title during his debut campaign at Bayer Leverkusen
There will be more to follow...
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