New Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso believes he has the energy and confidence to deliver success worthy of the Spanish giants during his introductory press conference, as new head coach of Real Madrid on Monday.
The former Bayern Leverkusen tactician has signed a three-year contract at the club, taking charge from June 1, with his first challenge being leading the team at next month’s Club World Cup.
The club said goodbye to Ancelotti — who has already flown to Brazil to take charge of the national team — on Saturday after a 2-0 win over Real Sociedad in their last game of the LaLiga season and the former Midfielder is set to take charge of the Spanish giants for the next three seasons.
The 43-year-old coach expressed his eagerness to bring success to the Spanish giants, acknowledging the weight of responsibility that comes with managing a club of such stature.
“We are starting a period in which I feel that the club and the fans are united. We have a great team, we have fantastic players and very good potential. That gives me reason to come here with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We have the conviction that we can achieve important things, worthy of Real Madrid and these European Cups.”
Alonso had been Madrid’s long-term top target to succeed Ancelotti, and arrives after a season which has seen the club fail to win a major trophy for the first time since 2021.
Madrid failed to win a major trophy this season, losing their La Liga crown to rivals Barcelona, who also beat them in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals.
The 43-year-old coach led Bayer Leverkusen to a superb unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double in the 2023-24 campaign, making him a target for Europe’s top clubs.
Xabi Alonso is one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid and world football. He wore the La Liga giants shirt in 236 official matches between 2009 and 2014 scoring 6 and given 31 assists.
During that time, he won six titles: the tenth Champions League title in Lisbon, one European Super Cup, one La Liga title, two Copa del Rey titles, and one Spanish Super Cup.
As a new coach, his first task is to lead the team at the Club World Cup this summer and has signed a three-year deal until June 2028, after Ancelotti departed to take charge of the Brazil national team.
The rebuilding of the team ahead of 2025-26 has already begun. Madrid have signed centre-back Dean Huijsen and multiple reports suggest they are hoping to bring in right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold in time for the Club World Cup. They are also working on a deal for Benfica left-back Álvaro Carreras.
“We want the fans to be proud, that we transmit emotions, joy. We want people to go to the stadium to enjoy themselves. If we manage to ignite that, we will have an unstoppable force. We are convinced that we can do great things”.
Xabi Alonso began his coaching career at Real Madrid’s youth academy, managing the U14 A team during the 2018-2019 season, where he won the League and the Champions Tournament.
Now he returns to Real Madrid as one of the best coaches in the world.
The post ‘We can do big things worthy of Real Madrid’- Xabi Alonso first appeared on 3News.
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