Xabi Alonso takes charge as Real Madrid head coach for three seasons

Real Madrid have officially announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the new manager for three seasons. This comes after their final game of the season with former head coach Carlo Ancelotti, who has left the club to join the Brazilian national team ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Alonso will be presented as the new Madrid coach at an event on Monday, 26 May.

Alonso becomes Real Madrid coach

The club confirmed on Sunday that Alonso met with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez for a formal signing ceremony that has linked his services from June 2025 to June 2028. Alonso is coming on the back of a successful coaching stint with Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the League, Cup, and German Super Cup in three seasons.

🤝 @XabiAlonso named new Real Madrid coach.#RealMadrid | #WelcomeXabi

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) May 25, 2025

Xabi Alonso started his coaching career at Real Madrid’s academy before he became the head coach at Bayer Leverkusen. He was in charge of the Under-12 team during the 2018/19 season and led them to win the league and a tournament called the Torneo de Campeones. He moved to Real Sociedad B after that where he coached from 2019 to 2022. In 2021, he helped them get promoted to Spain’s second division.

Alonso also had an amazing career as a football player. He played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2014, appearing in 236 matches. During that time, he helped the team win several big trophies, including their 10th Champions League title, a European Super Cup, La Liga, two Copa del Rey titles, and a Spanish Super Cup.

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