Real Madrid has officially confirmed that former midfielder Xabi Alonso will take over as the club’s new manager, replacing Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso, who lifted the Champions League with Los Blancos in 2014, has signed a three-year contract with the LaLiga giants. The 43-year-old will be unveiled at the club’s training facility on Monday.
His first assignment will be leading Real Madrid at the FIFA Club World Cup, where they face Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal on June 18.
Alonso departs Bayer Leverkusen after an impressive campaign in which he guided the club to its first-ever Bundesliga title, completing the season unbeaten. He also secured the German Cup, marking a historic double in his first full season as a senior team manager.
Although Leverkusen narrowly missed out on a treble, finishing second to Bayern Munich in the league, Alonso’s managerial rise has earned him a return to Madrid in a new capacity.