XABI ALONSO has been confirmed as the new Real Madrid manager.
Alonso, 43, succeeds Carlo Ancelotti and has signed a three-year contract at the Bernabeu.
The former midfielder will be formally presented as Real’s new boss in a press conference tomorrow.
Alonso is set to take charge of his first game at the helm next month, when his new side launch their Club World Cup campaign.
Having signed in 2009, Alonso played 236 times for Los Blancos across a trophy-laden five-year spell.
The elegant playmaker won a LaLiga title, two Copas del Rey and Real Madrid’s famous tenth Champions League crown.
After finishing his playing career with Bayern Munich, Alonso launched his coaching career with Real Madrid’s Under-14s in the 2018-19 season.
He subsequently landed the Real Sociedad B job, and after three years at the helm moved to Bayer Leverkusen for his first crack at senior management.
Alonso oversaw a stunning 2023-24 campaign, in which Leverkusen completed an unbeaten domestic season – winning the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal.
The former Liverpool star leaves Leverkusen having come second to Bayern Munich this season.
Alonso will be tasked with bouncing back from a disappointing campaign that saw Real Madrid fail to win LaLiga, the Copa del Rey or the Champions League.
The 43-year-old will have the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham at his disposal – while Trent Alexander-Arnold will join up this summer.
Alonso’s first game in charge will come against Saudi side Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18.
Los Blancos will then face Mexican outfit Pachuca and Austrians RB Salzburg.
Upon announcing his exit earlier this month, Alonso said: “I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Bayer Leverkusen, my players and staff, everyone at the club, and, last but not least, the fantastic fans.
“Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance.
“This club, which has placed extraordinary trust in me, thoroughly deserved to win the Bundesliga for the first time.
“My thanks and affection go to everyone who helped make this triumph a reality, including the cup victory in Berlin.
“Leverkusen are ready for the future. This positive trajectory will continue, and I will follow it with interest.”
The German side are on the verge of announcing Alonso’s successor.
Former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has agreed to return to the dugout with the Bundesliga runners-up.
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