Official: Xabi Alonso will be coach of Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso's move to Real Madrid is complete. As the top club announced, the 43-year-old Spaniard will succeed head coach Carlo Ancelotti, as expected. The Italian will become national coach of Brazil.

Return to old place of work

In a statement, the Madrid club described Alonso as "one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid and world football." He was returning to Real Madrid "as one of the best coaches in the world." Alonso played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2014, winning the Champions League and the Spanish championship during that time.

Alonso is scheduled to sign his contract in Madrid on Monday afternoon in the presence of club president Florentino Pérez. He has been given a contract until the end of June 2028, valid from June 2025. He will thus already be in charge of Real Madrid at the Club World Cup in the USA (June 14 to July 13).

From 17th place to the top

Alonso took over Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022 when they were 17th in the league table and quickly transformed them into a top European club. In the 2023/24 season, he led Leverkusen to the German championship and the DFB Cup. Although Bayer remained without a title in the 2024/25 season, they qualified for the Champions League again as second in the Bundesliga .

Alonso announced his intention to leave the North Rhine-Westphalia club—after weeks of speculation—during the final stages of the recently concluded Bundesliga season. His contract with Bayer was originally due to run until 2026. According to media reports, Dutchman Erik ten Hag is poised to succeed Alonso.

Disappointing season for Real

Carlo Ancelotti bid an emotional farewell to the fans on Saturday after Real Madrid's final home game of the season at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. The "Royals" had a disappointing season by their standards: In the Champions League, Real were eliminated in the quarterfinals by Arsenal. In the Spanish Cup, Ancelotti and Real Madrid lost in the final to FC Barcelona, ​​a loss always felt particularly painful in Madrid. Arch-rivals Barça also won the league title.

All of this ultimately proved fatal for Ancelotti, who had coached Real Madrid since 2021 and had also coached them between 2013 and 2015. Madrid and Ancelotti parted ways one year before the end of his contract.

wa/haz (sid, dpa)