After Carlo Ancelotti left, Real Madrid has officially announced that Xabi Alonso will take over as the team’s next first-team manager.

For a long time, Alonso was touted as Ancelotti’s replacement. Six years ago, Alonso had his first coaching experience with the club’s young squad, as Madrid’s victorious confirmation of the Spaniard’s arrival noted. After it was confirmed in May that he would be leaving his position as manager of Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024–25 season, speculation that he would return to the capital intensified.

Two weeks ago, Madrid was in doubt after Ancelotti was named manager of Brazil’s men’s national team. On Sunday, a day after the team finished their La Liga campaign with a 2-0 victory against Real Sociedad, Alonso’s arrival was finally confirmed.

Alonso was praised as “one of the greatest legends” in Real Madrid’s storied past in an official statement, which also confirmed that he will take over as manager on June 1, 2025, following the signing of a deal that would last until June 30, 2028.

Alonso will captain Madrid into the first-ever edition of the extended Club World Cup thanks to this early start date. The Spanish powerhouses will take on Saudi Pro League team Al Hilal on June 18.