A New Chapter at the Bernabeu
Xabi Alonso officially stepped into the spotlight on Monday as Real Madrid’s new head coach, ushering in a bold new era with heartfelt words and unwavering ambition. The former midfield maestro, now 43, returns to the Santiago Bernabeu with a three-year contract that runs until June 30, 2028. Taking over one of the most prestigious and pressure-filled roles in world football, Alonso made his intentions clear from the start—he’s here to build something powerful.
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A Coach Arrives at His Peak
After masterminding Bayer Leverkusen’s historic Bundesliga and German Cup double with an unbeaten league campaign, Alonso arrives with his managerial credentials stronger than ever. His tactical prowess and composed presence on the touchline have turned heads across Europe. Now, he faces the daunting task of continuing Real Madrid’s legacy of excellence.
An Emotional Tribute to Ancelotti
Before looking ahead, Alonso made sure to honor the man he replaces, Carlo Ancelotti.
“Before talking about the new era, I want to talk about the one that has ended. Carlo [Ancelotti] was my coach, a great person, a big influence on me. Without his teaching, what I learnt from him, I probably wouldn’t be here,” he said. “I take on his legacy with a lot of pride. I hope to live up to expectations and take this club to where we want it to be.”
Xabi Alonso’s Full Message to Madridistas
“I want Madridistas to be proud of the team they watch. When people watch us, I want them to say WOW, they play so well. Yeah, that’s my Madrid. This is a very special day for me. I will remember it for life. This is my home. I feel the excitement of the Real Madrid fans. This is a big moment for everyone. As soon as I stepped foot in Valdebebas, my feeling and love for Real Madrid appeared again, but it never left me. I feel like I was born again today. Thank you, Florentino, for trusting me with this job. From the first day you sat on the bench of Real Madrid’s U14 in 2018… we knew where you would end up. Right here. We have a great team with fantastic players. We’ll have a very good future. I want to build a great team. With the ambition that we will achieve great things. I want to talk about Carlo… He was my coach, a great person, a coach who left his mark on me, and probably without his mastery and the learning I received from him, I wouldn’t be here. I take up his legacy with great honor and pride.”
Eyes on the Future
Alonso’s words, filled with gratitude, conviction, and hope, signal the beginning of a new journey for Real Madrid—one rooted in identity, excellence, and unity. With a world-class squad and an ambitious coach at the helm, Madridistas have every reason to believe that their beloved club is in safe hands. The stage is set. The mission is clear. Now, it’s time for action.
About the Author
Arpit Sharma is a sports writer and journalism student at Chandigarh University, with a strong interest in sports analysis and storytelling. His writing combines match insights with a fresh, fan-first perspective that brings the game to life.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Vygr's views.
With inputs from agencies
Image Source: Multiple agencies
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