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Alonso has signed a three-season contract until 2028 and will be officially presented this Monday at Real Madrid’s training ground. This decision marks the return of the former Merengues player to the Santiago Bernabeu, but this time from the bench.
The first big challenge for the new coach will be to prepare the team for the FIFA Club World Cup to be played in the United States, with just two weeks of preparation left following his taking up of the role.
Alonso will have to manage a dressing room that has publicly shown its affection for Ancelotti and which, after a fateful season, is once again leaving Real Madrid. Players such as VinÃcius, Rodrygo and Endrick will continue to work with the Italian in the Brazilian national team, which adds a special dimension to this transition.
Xabi Alonso’s career as a coach
The San Sebastian-born coach arrives in Madrid after a successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he achieved:
- Undefeated Bundesliga champion 2023-24 (all-time record).
- German Cup winner.
- German Supercup 2024.
- Europa League finalist.
Before his time in Germany, Alonso managed Real Sociedad B for three seasons (2019-2022), achieving the team’s promotion to the Second Division, although the team was subsequently relegated.
Xabi Alonso’s style of play
Real Madrid’s new coach is characterised by four basic points:
- Defensive system of three centre-backs as a hallmark.
- Use of attacking full-backs.
- Alternation between 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 formations .
- Offensive style developed since his time at Real B.
Carlo Ancelotti has always shown his public support for Xabi Alonso. Back in 2017, when they coincided at Bayern Munich, the Italian predicted: “Xabi Alonso has the ability to become a good coach”.
Recently, at a press conference, he declared: “The door is open to him because he is one of the best coaches.”
The return of a legend to the Bernabeu
Xabi Alonso returns to Real Madrid where he shone as a player, playing a key role in winning the tenth Champions League under Ancelotti himself. His experience as a Merengues footballer and his successful career as a coach make him a future asset for the club.
The Basque coach will have the responsibility of maintaining Real Madrid’s competitive level and adapting quickly to a squad he has not himself put together. His proven ability to make his teams competitive and his knowledge of the club from the inside are his main assets for this new challenge.
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