Real Madrid has named former midfielder Xabi Alonso as their new head coach, replacing Carlo Ancelotti in a three-year deal starting June 1, 2025. The 43-year-old Spaniard, who currently leads Bayer Leverkusen, will take charge of the team ahead of the Club World Cup this summer.“Xabi Alonso will be the Real Madrid coach for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025 until June 30, 2028,” Real Madrid announced in their statement.“Alonso is one of the biggest legends at Real Madrid and in world football,” the club statement continued. “He wore our shirt in 236 games between 2009 and 2014. During that time he won six trophies.”Alonso leaves Bayer Leverkusen after securing a Bundesliga and German Cup double in the 2023-2024 season, leading his team through an unbeaten league campaign. His contract with Leverkusen included a clause allowing him to leave for his former clubs, including Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich.

The Spanish coach will succeed Ancelotti, who is set to take over the Brazilian national team. The Italian manager’s final season at Madrid saw the team win only the European Super Cup and Intercontinental Cup, while falling short in major competitions.Madrid suffered elimination in the Champions League quarter-finals against Arsenal and lost both the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey finals to Barcelona. The team also surrendered their Liga title to their arch-rivals.Ancelotti’s legacy at Real Madrid includes 15 trophies across his two spells, spanning six years. He secured three Champions League victories, including the historic La Decima – the club’s tenth European crown – in 2014, though Alonso was suspended for that final.The incoming coach brings impressive credentials as a player, having won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup with Spain. His coaching career began with youth teams at Real Madrid and Real Sociedad before taking the helm at Bayer Leverkusen in 2022.Real Madrid has already begun strengthening their squad, signing defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. The club is also pursuing Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, whose contract at Anfield is expiring.Alonso’s first opportunity for silverware will come at the Club World Cup. Real Madrid will face Saudi Arabian team Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18 in their opening match of FIFA’s summer tournament.The new coach will be officially presented on Monday at 1030 GMT, marking the beginning of his tenure at the club where he previously succeeded as a player.