Xabi Alonso Named New Real Madrid Manager on Three-Year Deal
Real Madrid have appointed their former midfielder Xabi Alonso as the new manager on a three-year contract, SportsRation reports.
Alonso, who played 158 games for Madrid, recently announced he would leave German club Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.
The 43-year-old Spaniard had an impressive 2023–24 season, leading Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title without losing a single league match. He also helped them win the German Cup. Leverkusen only lost once all season — in the Europa League final against Atalanta. Their long unbeaten run in domestic football lasted 462 days and ended with a loss to RB Leipzig in September 2024.
Alonso has signed a deal with Madrid until 30 June 2028. He replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who managed his last match for the club on Saturday. Ancelotti is now set to take over as Brazil’s national team coach.
Alonso’s first games as Real Madrid manager will come next month at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States. Madrid have been placed in Group H alongside Al Hilal, Pachuca, and Red Bull Salzburg.
In the 2024–25 season, Leverkusen finished second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich and were knocked out of the UEFA Champions League in the round of 16, losing 5-0 on aggregate to Bayern.
Alonso had a successful playing career with Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. He joined Madrid from Liverpool in 2009 and went on to make 236 appearances for the Spanish giants, winning La Liga, the Champions League, and two Copa del Rey titles.
At international level, Alonso won the 2010 FIFA World Cup and two UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012 with Spain.
After retiring from playing in 2017, Alonso began his coaching career with Real Sociedad B in 2019. He took over at Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022 when the club was in the relegation zone and led them to a sixth-place finish. His success earned him a new contract in May 2023, originally set to run until June 2026.
