[Real Madrid](https://www.managingmadrid.com) manager Xabi Alonso spoke to the media for the first time, after his presentation at the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday morning. He was asked about the pressure at the club, to which he said: “Obviously, the demands at Madrid are extremely high, and you have to accept the challenge. But it’s a very nice challenge, and we can do things that excite Real Madrid fans and excite people. That’s what we’re here for. We definitely have the energy we need.”
### Alonso on his first day
“It’s a very exciting day, one I’ll remember. I think there’s only once in a lifetime when you get to coach Real Madrid, and today is the first day. I feel proud, responsible, and energized. I’m eager to begin a new era.”
### Alonso if he wants a new midfielder
“Our duty is to always want to improve. Therefore, since I’ve been Madrid’s manager, I want to have this communication and vision with the club to agree on how we want to improve. The squad is very good, and I want to start working with them. I’m here eager to work as a team and improve.”
### Alonso on what Real Madrid need
“I’ve analyzed how the team played, how the players are, and I’m using it to inform my own idea. As coaches, we depend on the players, and I think they’re top-notch. The challenge is to build a team, unleash the potential of these players, and for us all to come together. If we all come together, we’ll have a very powerful force.”
### Alonso’s decision to arrive before the Club World Cup
“The circumstances have been right. I see it as a two-pronged opportunity. On the one hand, to move things forward. On the other, to fight for another title. It’s the first Club World Cup, and the ambition is there.”
### Alonso on how he wants his team to play
“It’s a good question, and I like it because today’s football demands flexibility and dynamics. It demands that you move your pieces around. I have an idea of how we want to play, but the system can change. I want the team to convey emotion and energy, play ambitiously, and connect with the fans. The symbiosis we seek is essential for a good start to the season. I like to improve each player’s potential to fit the pieces together.”
### Alonso on proactiveness
“What I like is that we know how to choose our moments. With the idea of knowing how to do it, of always having control and knowing what to do. But you have to know how to handle different situations, seek high pressure, and retreat when necessary. But the idea of an ambitious and active game, that knows how to take the initiative... we have players for that.”
### Alonso on his biggest influence
“I’ve said it before. The fact that I’m here is probably thanks to all of them. I was lucky to have very good coaches, I tried to be close to them and try to understand them. My father, who was a coach, was probably the biggest influence. With all coaches, you have to have your professionalism, your playbook. I have a good relationship with all of them.”
### Alonso on Luka Modric’s departure
“I’m not very objective about Luka because we were teammates, and when he arrived, we had a chemistry. He became the conductor of the orchestra; he’s been a great legend. Watching his farewell the other day makes you proud. I was with him a while ago. I was lucky enough to be coaching him at the World Cup; it’s going to be a privilege.”
### Alonso on when he decided to come to Madrid
“This has to work both ways: that Madrid wants you and that you want it. As of yesterday, I considered myself the coach of Real Madrid. I showed that energy, that enthusiasm when it was made official. Today, it’s even more so. The next step is to be with the players. I’ve already been with some, with others I’ll have to be with. But I already feel it.”
### Alonso on whether he is ready for Real Madrid
“I feel it, I feel like it’s the moment when everything falls into place. But above all, it’s because of the people. People get excited, they visualize, and they want to believe. And that gives them a lot of energy. Then you have to work at it, but it’s a good moment.”
### Alonso on the defense
“I’ve watched the games and analyzed them. Now, I’m thinking about how to build a balanced team. So that we all know how we want to do things. That will give us stability that will allow individual qualities to flourish.”
### Alonso on when he found out that Real Madrid wanted him
“I don’t know: probably yesterday with the announcement (laughs). It was obvious enough not to notice.”
### Alonso on Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe
“It’s a blessing that we have players of that caliber. Not just Kylian or Vinicius, but so many others. They’re differential players, they make the difference, and we have to get everything they have. I have ideas. There’s still time before we get together with them. But for me, communicating what we want is very important. They’re high-caliber players, and that’s the task at hand.”
### Alonso on how Real will play in attack
“Football is dynamic. I want us to interpret and for the players to be able to play where they’re most comfortable, where they can best demonstrate their physical, tactical, and mental qualities... The good thing is having good players. Then, that’s my problem (laughs).”
### Alonso on Jude Bellingham
“He can be special anywhere because he’s a special player. His emergence is a milestone player for Real Madrid. He’s 21 years old and will be fundamental to the club’s future projects. He’s in a good place to work with. I see him as a midfielder. We’ll try to make him as efficient as possible.”
### Alonso on Rodrygo
“Rodrygo is a Real Madrid player, and I’ll speak to everyone who’s a Real Madrid player. They deserve it, and we need it. Rodrygo is a spectacular player; we’ll need him.”
### Alonso on decisions
“Things have been agreed upon and discussed. There are things that concern me and things that don’t, but that’s going to be the line. I’m officially working on making decisions.”
### Alonso on how he likes to work with the players
“I don’t usually like to describe myself much, but I need proximity and closeness with the players. I need that connection to feel how the team is doing and what each player needs. I know what I’m doing; I know I’m the coach. I like being close to them.”