Xabi Alonso accepts the appointment as Real Madrid’s head coach till 2028

Xabi Alonso has signed up to be the head coach at Real Madrid, with the Spaniard signing a three-year initial contract.

The Spaniard is to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Spanish club after making the decision to leave Bayer Leverkusen following the end of the Bundesliga campaign.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that there has been a deal struck between Real Madrid and Alonso. It involves the finalization of his coaching team at the Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid intend for Alonso to captain the side at this summer’s Club World Cup.

#XabiAlonso will be #RealMadrid 's coach starting June 1.

Xavi will arrive with three new signings for the Club World Cup#BarcaRealMadrid #BarcelonaRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/gizBKiF7Qv

— khel insight (@Khel_insight) May 12, 2025

Xabi Alonso Career

Alonso arrives at Real Madrid, where he made 236 appearances during his playing career, as one of Europe’s most sought-after coaches. The 43-year-old guided Bayer Leverkusen to a first Bundesliga title last season, as part of a German domestic double.

Leverkusen was the first German football team to conquer the Bundesliga having not lost any game. In the season, Leverkusen established a record of 51 games in total competitions without losing, the European football history’s longest since UEFA competitions began.

Alonso will take over from Carlo Ancelotti after a poor season for Real Madrid. Sunday’s loss at Barcelona puts Los Blancos seven points adrift of the Catalans with only three games remaining. Real Madrid also lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona and were knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage, losing 5-1 on aggregate to Arsenal.

Ancelotti is set to join the Brazil national team. The five-time record Champions League winners will look to pilot the Selecao to World Cup victory in 2026.