Real Madrid have confirmed the appointment of Xabi Alonso as the club’s new first-team manager following Carlo Ancelotti’s departure.
Alonso had long been billed as Ancelotti’s successor. As Madrid’s confirmation of the Spaniard’s arrival triumphantly pointed out, it was in the club’s youth team where Alonso earned his first coaching experience six years ago. Speculation of his return to the capital ramped up following the confirmation of his decision to step down as Bayer Leverkusen manager at the end of the 2024–25 campaign in May.
