Real Madrid Announce
Xabi Alonso as New Head Coach

Madrid, 25 May (ONA) — Real Madrid has made
official the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the new first team coach for the
next three seasons. After several months of conversations and doubts about the
future of Carlo Ancelotti, the club has finally opted for a new project and a
figure who combines tactical knowledge, international experience and a deep
link with the institution.

Xabi Alonso
arrives in the Santiago Bernabeu dugout after a brilliant spell in charge of
Bayer Leverkusen, where he revolutionised the German team with modern,
versatile and highly competitive football. Under his management, Leverkusen won
the German Bundesliga unbeaten, won the DFB-Pokal and made a great impression
throughout Europe for their style of play and tactical solidity. His work did
not go unnoticed by Real Madrid, who are looking to resurrect their team with a
new style.

The Basque coach has shown a clear preference
for a system based on three central defenders, which allows him to maintain
control of the game from the back and offer numerical superiority in the ball’s
exit. His approach combines positional rigour, high pressing and quick
transitions, without renouncing possession as the main tool to dominate
matches. In Germany, this scheme was key to maximising the virtues of his
players, most of whom were revalued.

Xabi Alonso
arrives to bring Real Madrid a fresh vision and a winning mentality, coupled
with an adaptability that he has demonstrated since his beginnings as a coach
in the Madrid youth academy and in the Real Sociedad reserve team. His calm
leadership, tactical intelligence and deep knowledge of modern football make
him an ambitious and promising choice for the future of the club.

This new
chapter also marks the homecoming of a former footballer. Xabi Alonso returns
to what was his home for five seasons as a player, a period in which he became
a reference in the midfield and left an indelible mark with his elegance,
calmness and vision of the game. Now, he returns to lead from the bench and
continue writing his story at Real Madrid.

Real Madrid C. F.
announces that Xabi Alonso will be the coach of Real Madrid for the next three
seasons, from 1 June 2025 until 30 June 2028, the Spanish MARCA newspaper
reported.

Xabi Alonso is
also a legend of the Spanish national team, with which he won one World Cup
(2010) and two European Championships (2008 and 2012), in 113 international
matches.

Xabi Alonso began
his coaching career in the Real Madrid youth academy, managing the Infantil A
team during the 2018-2019 season, with which he was proclaimed league champion
and winner of the Champions Tournament. Now, he returns to Real Madrid as one
of the best coaches in the world, after making history at Bayer Leverkusen,
with whom he has won the German Bundesliga, the DFB-Pokal and the DFL-Supercup
in three seasons.

Xabi Alonso will be unveiled as Real Madrid’s
new head coach on Monday, 26 May in an event that will take place at Real
Madrid City

Prior to that,
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez will welcome Xabi Alonso for the
protocolary signing ceremony that will tie the new coach to the club for the
next three seasons. After the presentation, Xabi Alonso will speak to the media
in the press room at Real Madrid City.

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Ends/Khalid