Xabi Alonso Makes Final Real Madrid Decision

Leverkusen Boss Set to Take the Reins at the Bernabéu After Club World Cup

It’s official—or as official as it can be before the ink dries. Xabi Alonso, the former midfield maestro and current architect of Bayer Leverkusen’s renaissance, has reportedly made his final decision: he’s heading back to the Spanish capital. Multiple sources now agree—Real Madrid have got their man. The deal to bring Xabi Alonso back to the Bernabéu is in place, and it looks like only the formalities remain before he takes over the most demanding job in world football.

The 42-year-old has agreed to a three-year contract with Los Blancos and will succeed Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the current campaign, although not immediately. Xabi Alonso won’t officially step into the Madrid dugout until after this summer’s Club World Cup, giving both parties time to prepare for what’s expected to be a seamless, but significant, transition.

A Return to Where It All Took Off

For Xabi Alonso, the return to Madrid marks a poetic full-circle moment. The elegant deep-lying playmaker spent five seasons at the Bernabéu between 2009 and 2014, winning a La Liga title, two Copas del Rey, and the long-awaited La Décima—Real’s 10th European crown.

It was in Madrid that Xabi Alonso matured from a Premier League standout into a truly world-class conductor. He later added Bundesliga titles with Bayern and soaked up knowledge under managers like Pep Guardiola and José Mourinho—lessons that now shape his own coaching philosophy.

Alonso: The Chosen One

Even before Ancelotti’s future was cast into doubt, Xabi Alonso had been touted as the heir apparent. With Madrid’s European campaign failing to ignite and back-to-back defeats to arch-rivals Barcelona in domestic finals, whispers of change started swirling around the Bernabéu. Now, it’s no longer a whisper—it’s a roar.

Spanish outlet MARCA broke the story, and it’s since been echoed by the likes of Fabrizio Romano and Sky Sport Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. According to their reports, Xabi Alonso has been handed a three-year deal and will bring trusted lieutenants Sebas Parrilla and Alberto Encinas with him as part of his coaching staff.

Ancelotti’s official departure is expected to come on May 25, following Madrid’s final La Liga fixture. That will mark the end of the Italian’s storied second stint in charge—one that delivered league titles, a Champions League triumph, and countless memories.

The Waiting Game: Solari as Interim?

Interestingly, Xabi Alonso’s arrival won’t be immediate. Madrid have made it clear he’ll only take charge after the Club World Cup, set to take place this summer. That could push his official unveiling into late July, creating a potential managerial gap.

To bridge that period, club director Santiago Solari—a man with his own brief coaching history at Madrid—has emerged as a likely interim option. Solari previously led the team in 32 matches between 2018 and 2019 and has remained close to the first-team setup in his current administrative role.

It’s a stop-gap solution, sure, but one that should allow Xabi Alonso to begin his tenure with a clean slate.

Transfer Plans: No Revolution, But Precision Reinforcements

Contrary to expectations that a new manager means a squad overhaul, Xabi Alonso reportedly has no interest in ripping things apart. According to MARCA, he sees no need for major surgery—just some well-placed additions.

Real Madrid, always cautious with their transfer dealings, are unlikely to hand over total control. As always, club president Florentino Pérez and the sporting directors will have final say. Still, Xabi Alonso will have input, particularly when it comes to identifying key areas for improvement.

One area already under review is the left-back position, long seen as needing depth and competition. With Trent Alexander-Arnold potentially arriving on the right (pending further talks with Liverpool), Madrid are also targeting a solution for the opposite flank.

In central defense, Dean Huijsen—currently shining at Bournemouth—is being closely watched. His versatility and composure have drawn attention, and Madrid may move quickly to secure the young Dutchman.

Wirtz: The Crown Jewel in Xabi Alonso’s Vision

Trent Alexander-Arnold is expected to be on his way to the Spanish capital / Robin Jones/GettyImages

Perhaps the most exciting—and ambitious—name linked to Xabi Alonso’s Madrid is Florian Wirtz. The Leverkusen wonderkid has been instrumental in the club’s Bundesliga success under Xabi Alonso and is reportedly at the very top of the manager’s wishlist.

Madrid fans will be thrilled by the idea, but they’re not alone. Bayern Munich are openly courting the German playmaker, while Manchester City view him as a long-term successor to Kevin De Bruyne. If Xabi Alonso can use his personal relationship to sway Wirtz, it would be a statement signing—a sign that Madrid’s future is not just secure, but spectacular.

A Legend in the Making?

What makes Xabi Alonso’s appointment so intriguing isn’t just his pedigree—it’s the sense of inevitability. He carries the aura of a manager destined for greatness. He’s already transformed Leverkusen into a Bundesliga powerhouse in record time. His tactical intelligence, cool demeanor, and ability to connect with players have earned comparisons to the likes of Zinedine Zidane—another ex-Madrid player who succeeded on the touchline.

But let’s not pretend it’ll be easy. Real Madrid is a different beast entirely. Every game is high stakes. Every press conference is a spotlight. And every trophy-less season is a potential exit door. Xabi Alonso knows that. He’s lived it, played in it, and now he’s preparing to manage it.

Who Replaces Xabi Alonso at Leverkusen?

While Madrid celebrate, Leverkusen are left scrambling. Losing Xabi Alonso is a blow, no question, but the German club is already drawing up a shortlist of replacements. It’s an eclectic mix.

Erik ten Hag, currently under pressure at Manchester United, has been mentioned. So have Xavi Hernandez and Cesc Fabregas, two former Barcelona icons dipping their toes into management. Another intriguing candidate? Álvaro Arbeloa—a Real Madrid youth coach and former teammate of Xabi Alonso—who may be looking to follow in his friend’s footsteps.

The Countdown Begins

As the football world prepares for a summer of change, Real Madrid fans can look forward with cautious optimism. Xabi Alonso’s appointment feels like more than a managerial change—it feels like the beginning of a new chapter. One written not in panic or desperation, but with purpose, familiarity, and vision.

Whether he lifts silverware or not, Xabi Alonso’s Madrid will reflect his character: calm, intelligent, and quietly ambitious. And that, perhaps, is exactly what the club needs next.