After cutting his managerial teeth with Real Sociedad’s reserve team, Alonso moved to Germany and broke Bayern Munich’s 11-year stranglehold on the Bundesliga. Leading Leverkusen to their first league title convinced Real president Florentino Perez that Alonso – who made 236 appearances for Los Blancos between 2009 and 2014 – is ready to return and...
He added: “The Real Madrid fans are excited to begin this new era, to grow, and to make the history of this club even greater. “It’s a special day. It’s a day I will have marked in my calendar for life. I am very happy to be here, in what I feel is my home.”...
Real Madrid have appointed their former midfielder Xabi Alonso as manager on a three-year deal. Alonso, who made 236 appearances for Real Madrid as a player, announced earlier this month that he would leave his role as Bayer Leverkusen boss at the end of the season. Former Liverpool and Spain midfielder Alonso, who has signed...
Real’s La Liga defence was dealt a decisive blow on Saturday as they lost 4-3 to league leaders Barcelona to leave them seven points adrift with three games remaining. Conversations with Real started months ago when they let Alonso know he would be the replacement if Ancelotti did not continue next season. By March a...
Carlo Ancelotti has called Xabi Alonso “one of the best in the world” amid rumours the Spaniard will replace him as Real Madrid manager. On Friday, Bayer Leverkusen head coach Alonso said he would be leaving the German club at the end of this season. Alonso is set to be announced as the new Real...
On the pitch, the team lost coherence. The dressing room – once unified by Ancelotti’s steady hand – began to fragment. Key players stopped listening to him, others grew weary of his hands-off approach. Perhaps most destabilising was the rivalry between Vinicius and Mbappe. Both wanted to be the face of the team. Mbappe preferred...
Head coach Xabi Alonso will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, amid reports he will succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Alonso, 43, will replace Ancelotti at Madrid, says BBC Sport columnist and Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, although it is unclear when that announcement will take place. Last year former Liverpool...
“I don’t want to talk about speculation and rumours. [I understand] that this is happening, but what’s more important to me is what’s happening right now.” Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro said last week that Alonso was “comfortable” at the club and already planning for next season. Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has also been...