Xabi Alonso Appointed as New Real Madrid Head Coach
Real Madrid has officially named Xabi Alonso as their new manager, marking a triumphant return for the Spanish football legend. At 43, Alonso takes the reins at the club where he once starred as a player, winning multiple trophies and cementing his legacy in the white shirt.
Alonso departs Bayer Leverkusen after an extraordinary tenure that saw him guide the German club to unprecedented success. Since taking charge in October 2022, he transformed the team into title contenders. Under his leadership, Leverkusen claimed their first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season, ending Bayern Munich’s long-standing dominance. He also secured the German Cup and Super Cup, and narrowly missed out on a historic treble, finishing runners-up in the Europa League.
One of the most remarkable highlights of his time in Germany was Leverkusen’s stunning 51-game unbeaten run across competitions — a record that underscored Alonso’s tactical prowess and leadership.
From Madrid Roots to European Success
Before his breakout at Leverkusen, Alonso began his coaching journey at Real Madrid’s youth academy, managing the Under-12 squad to a league win and a Champions Tournament title in 2018/19. He later led Real Sociedad B from 2019 to 2022, earning promotion to Spain’s Segunda División in 2021 — a significant achievement in the club’s history.
A Glittering Playing Career
As a player, Alonso enjoyed an illustrious career. During his time at Real Madrid (2009–2014), he made 236 appearances and added major silverware to his name, including La Décima (the club’s 10th European Cup), a LaLiga title, the Copa del Rey (twice), the Spanish Super Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
Internationally, he was a cornerstone of Spain’s golden generation, winning the 2010 FIFA World Cup and back-to-back UEFA European Championships in 2008 and 2012. His club accolades also span successful spells at Liverpool (Champions League, FA Cup, European Super Cup, Community Shield) and Bayern Munich (three Bundesliga titles, German Cup, and Super Cup).
Coaching Timeline:
Real Madrid Youth (2018–2019)
Real Sociedad B (2019–2022)
Bayer Leverkusen (2022–2025)
Real Madrid (2025–)
Managerial Achievements:
Bundesliga Champion
German Cup Winner
German Super Cup Winner
With his return to the Santiago Bernabéu, Alonso brings a wealth of experience, a winning mentality, and a deep understanding of the club’s culture — all qualities that make Madridistas hopeful for a new era of success.
