The long-awaited return of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid is now a reality. The club has finalized a deal to appoint the Spanish tactician as their new head coach on a three-year contract that runs until 2028. This marks the beginning of a new chapter for both Alonso and Los Blancos, as they transition from the Carlo Ancelotti era into what they hope will be another golden period in the club’s history.
Alonso’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment. Real Madrid are preparing for the expanded FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 15, with the Spanish giants playing their first match on June 18 against Al-Hilal in Miami. Initially, there were serious doubts about whether Alonso would take charge in time for the tournament. The plan from the club’s sporting leadership was for Santiago Solari, Director of Football and former interim manager, to lead the squad through the competition on a temporary basis.
However, a late but firm decision was made behind the scenes last week—before Alonso publicly announced his departure from Bayer Leverkusen. The Real Madrid board, with an eye on both prestige and financial incentives (the tournament reportedly offers up to €150 million in prize money), decided it made little sense to hand over such an important tournament to a caretaker with no long-term stake in the club’s direction.
Thus, despite some hesitation from Alonso himself, who reportedly preferred to take over after the tournament to avoid the risk of an early stumble, the deal was sealed. According to reports from Cadena Cope and later corroborated by Marca, the final call was made swiftly and decisively. Real Madrid’s hierarchy felt that giving Alonso an early start, even under challenging circumstances, was better for the long-term project.
A Compressed Start to a Big Challenge
Alonso will officially sign his contract on June 1, just after the La Liga season ends. With an international break immediately following, he’ll have minimal time with the full squad before traveling to the United States for the Club World Cup. That means Alonso will likely get just one full week of training with the squad before their first competitive fixture under his leadership.
This tight schedule, paired with a squad currently dealing with multiple injuries and fatigue from a grueling season, leaves little room for Alonso to implement his tactical ideas. Despite these difficulties, Real Madrid’s leadership sees this as a strategic gamble worth taking—giving their future manager a trial by fire in an elite competition.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: A Surprise Transfer Target
Another intriguing development is Real Madrid’s reported interest in Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. Sources suggest that the club hopes to have him as part of their Club World Cup squad, signaling an ambitious summer transfer window to support Alonso’s vision. Whether this transfer comes to fruition remains to be seen, but the intent is clear: Real Madrid wants to surround their new manager with elite talent from day one.
Ancelotti’s Farewell and a Vision for the Future
With Carlo Ancelotti’s exit deal finalized, the Italian manager is expected to bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabéu in the coming weeks. His legacy includes a Champions League triumph, domestic titles, and the smooth integration of a new generation of stars. Now, the baton passes to Xabi Alonso—once a midfield general at the club, now tasked with building a modern Madrid team capable of conquering Europe and the world once again.
Real Madrid’s decision to start the Xabi Alonso era early is a bold one. It reflects a long-term vision rooted in trust, identity, and ambition. Whether this early leap will yield immediate rewards remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the new Bernabéu project now has a new leader—and all eyes will be on Miami in June.
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