Less than three years into his career as a top-level coach, Alonso is returning to Real Madrid, the most pressurized job in football. He's earned it.

He’s back. Xabi Alonso is returning to Real Madrid to take over a club that failed to meet expectations this season. The Spanish powerhouse announced the hiring of Alonso on Sunday to replace Carlo Ancelotti,

Xabi Alonso leaves Bayer Leverkusen as a club legend after only two full seasons in charge. Despite being under contract until the summer of 2026, Alonso bid farewell to Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024–25 season to return to the Spanish capital.