Today's Edition
Madrid (dpa)
Xabi Alonso has been confirmed as Real Madrid coach on a three-year-deal, the La Liga club said on Sunday.
"Xabi Alonso is a Real Madrid legend and one of the greatest players in world football history," a club statement said, adding that he would be unveiled on Monday with a signing ceremony and press conference.
The Spaniard had already announced he was leaving Bayer Leverkusen. The former Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich player replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who is joining the Brazil national team.
Alonso takes charge from June 1, with the Club World Cup starting on June 14.
"He now returns to Real Madrid as one of the greatest coaches in the world after making history at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the league, the cup and the German Super Cup over three seasons," Madrid added.
His achievement of going unbeaten domestically during Leverkusen's surprise run to the 2023-2024 German league and cup double meant he was on the radar of top European clubs including Bayern, Liverpool and Madrid.
However, he decided to stay another year with Leverkusen, but they finished second to Bayern in this season's Bundesliga. The 43-year-old has now decided to make the switch, with Madrid allowing Ancelotti to head to Brazil after a trophy-less season.
First match against Al Hilal
Alonso won one La Liga and one Champions League while a player for Madrid between 2009 and 2014.
His aim will be to replicate that success in his first season after Madrid saw arch-rivals Barcelona win a Spanish league and cup double this term, while they were knocked out of the Champions League by Arsenal.
But his first task is the revamped Club World Cup in the United States. Madrid have won the title five times but the new version now has 32 teams and involves as many as seven games.
Their group opener is against Saudi Arabia's Al Hilal on June 18 in Miami.
Longer term, Alonso will have to do without club icon and fellow midfield dynamo Luka Modric, who is leaving Madrid after the Club World Cup.
Jude Bellingham is also carrying a shoulder injury and will be out for months after surgery following the tournament in the US.
Alonso was known to tinker with his starting line-up often at Leverkusen and fringe
players at Madrid will now hope for more game time.
Alonso also has a new defender, with Bournemouth's Spain centre back Dean Huijsen arriving on June 1.
Media reports meanwhile say Leverkusen are poised to replace him with former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag.
The Dutchman had success at Bayern reserves and Ajax Amsterdam but then endured two bruising years at struggling United.
Leverkusen posted on X: "Lots of success and best wishes to Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid."
