Former midfielder Xabi Alonso has been appointed as Real Madrid’s new head coach on a three-year contract, returning to the club where he won multiple titles as a player.
Real Madrid have officially announced the appointment of Xabi Alonso as their new manager on a contract running until 30 June 2028, according to BBC reports. The former Spain international returns to the Santiago Bernabéu to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, who concluded his tenure with the club on Saturday and is set to take over as Brazil’s national team coach.
Alonso, 43, made 236 appearances for Real Madrid during his playing career, winning the Champions League in 2014. He will be presented as manager at the club’s training ground on Monday and is expected to lead the team at the upcoming Club World Cup, with his first match scheduled against Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia on 18 June.
Alonso steps into the role following a highly successful stint at Bayer Leverkusen, where he guided the German side to their first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023–24 season - achieved without a single defeat. He also secured the German Cup, marking a domestic double in what was his first full season in senior club management. However, Leverkusen finished second to Bayern Munich in the league this year and were eliminated from the Champions League in the last 16.
Having previously coached Real Madrid’s Under-14s and Real Sociedad B, Alonso took charge of Leverkusen in October 2022 when the team was near the relegation zone. He led a dramatic turnaround, finishing sixth in the Bundesliga that season and building on that momentum with an unbeaten league campaign the following year.
Despite a strong performance across competitions - losing just three league matches this season - Leverkusen could not retain their Bundesliga crown and were eliminated from the German Cup by third-tier Arminia Bielefeld in the semi-finals. Their only defeat in 53 games last season came in the Europa League final against Atalanta.
Alonso, a World Cup and double European Championship winner with Spain, had been linked with managerial positions at Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich in recent months. He had initially committed to remaining with Leverkusen, but ultimately opted for a return to Madrid, where he begins a new chapter in his coaching career.
Former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly close to succeeding Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Lando Norris secures a tactical victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from pole and finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, tightening the Formula One championship battle.
Five skiers have been found dead after a suspected avalanche near Switzerland’s Rimpfischhorn mountain, close to the upscale resort of Zermatt. The discovery, made after authorities were alerted to abandoned skis, has prompted an investigation into the tragedy.
During his visit to Azerbaijan on May 25, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commemorated historical and cultural connections between the two countries by visiting symbolic landmarks in Baku.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discuss ongoing efforts for peace amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict during a joint press conference.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Lando Norris secures a tactical victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from pole and finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, tightening the Formula One championship battle.
Five skiers have been found dead after a suspected avalanche near Switzerland’s Rimpfischhorn mountain, close to the upscale resort of Zermatt. The discovery, made after authorities were alerted to abandoned skis, has prompted an investigation into the tragedy.
During his visit to Azerbaijan on May 25, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commemorated historical and cultural connections between the two countries by visiting symbolic landmarks in Baku.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discuss ongoing efforts for peace amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict during a joint press conference.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
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Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Five skiers have been found dead after a suspected avalanche near Switzerland’s Rimpfischhorn mountain, close to the upscale resort of Zermatt. The discovery, made after authorities were alerted to abandoned skis, has prompted an investigation into the tragedy.
Lando Norris secures a tactical victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from pole and finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, tightening the Formula One championship battle.
Poland’s ruling party holds a "patriotic march" in Warsaw on Sunday, just days before the second round of the presidential elections.
The Netherlands will complete its pledge of 24 F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine on Monday, as the final aircraft is set for delivery, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced on Sunday.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Lando Norris secures a tactical victory at the Monaco Grand Prix, starting from pole and finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri, tightening the Formula One championship battle.
Five skiers have been found dead after a suspected avalanche near Switzerland’s Rimpfischhorn mountain, close to the upscale resort of Zermatt. The discovery, made after authorities were alerted to abandoned skis, has prompted an investigation into the tragedy.
During his visit to Azerbaijan on May 25, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha commemorated historical and cultural connections between the two countries by visiting symbolic landmarks in Baku.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha discuss ongoing efforts for peace amid the Russia-Ukraine conflict during a joint press conference.
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