Xabi Alonso: The Dawn of a New Era at the Santiago Bernabéu

The world of football has witnessed an event that promises to redefine the future of Real Madrid: Xabi Alonso, one of the club's and world football's greatest legends, has been officially named as the new first-team coach. The announcement, made on May 25, 2025, confirms that Alonso will take the reins of the Spanish giant for the next three seasons, from June 1, 2025, to June 30, 2028. This appointment marks the end of a successful period under Carlo Ancelotti, whose last match for the Merengue team was played the day before, on May 24, 2025.

The anticipation is high. Xabi Alonso, 43, is not only returning to what he considers his home, but he does so after a triumphant spell at Bayer Leverkusen, where he established himself as one of the most promising coaches on the international scene. His official debut at the helm of Real Madrid came at the Club World Cup, a tournament the club is approaching with the same ambition as always. This return is not just a change of manager but the beginning of a project that seeks to revitalise the Real Madrid spirit and add new chapters to its glorious history.

Xabi Alonso's Playing Philosophy: From Leverkusen to Madrid

A Distinctive and Winning Style

Xabi Alonso's playing philosophy is described as "fresh and innovative". During his successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, the Spanish coach implemented a model that prioritises "living in the opponent's half and generating superiority in different areas of the pitch, especially in midfield." This approach translated into spectacular results: in 55 matches in charge, his team achieved a winning percentage of over 60%, with a goal-scoring record of 131 goals scored and only 63 conceded. Under his tutelage, Leverkusen not only broke Bayern Munich's dominance by winning the Bundesliga for the first time in their history but also remained unbeaten in their domestic competition during the 2023-24 season, extending their run to the DFB Cup and UEFA Europa League.

Alonso's success is no coincidence; it is based on an "attractive and effective plan with its own DNA". His methods have astonished the football world, characterised by "fluidity within the system" and "varied rotations" that allow players to constantly swap positions. A fundamental principle is "extreme central occupation", with the ability to concentrate almost all outfield players on one side to facilitate defensive transitions and offer more options in the build-up of play, thus allowing for prolonged possession. This tactical vision had already been anticipated by José Mourinho in 2010, who stated that Alonso "has the qualities that a 'metronome' should have" and that he "was already acting as a coach on the field."

Tactical Systems and Adaptability

Xabi Alonso's base system at Bayer Leverkusen has been a versatile 3-4-2-1, described as "chameleon-like". This formation features a back three (Jonathan Tah, Tapsoba, and Hincapié) who offer clean ball-producing capabilities and aggressive pressing. Attacking full-backs, such as Jeremie Frimpong on the right and Alejandro Grimaldo on the left, are key players, providing depth, dribbling, arrivals into the box, and link-up skills. In midfield, a double pivot (with Granit Xhaka at the helm and Exequiel Palacios providing space) balances and paces the play. Up front, floating attacking midfielders such as Florian Wirtz and Jonas Hofmann occupy the spaces between the lines with the freedom to interchange positions and attack up front, with Wirtz providing the creative mastermind. Up front, mobile forwards such as Victor Boniface and Patrick Schick offer various solutions, from power and bursts to back-to-back play and finishing.

Alonso's tactical principles include intense "loss pressing" and high aggression off the ball, activating the team in a mid-high block to recover quickly and launch lethal transitions. Alonso releases the ball in a structured and flexible manner, building with patience and alternating short play with changes of orientation to free up space. Alonso demonstrates remarkable pragmatism, alternating between possession and verticality and being lethal on the counterattack. His tactical flexibility allows him to introduce variations such as the 4-2-3-1, the 4-3-3, or the 3-5-2, adapting to the opponent and the demands of the match. This approach underscores his belief that "football belongs to the players. We are here to help them shine," building the team around the available talent.

Leadership and Group Management

The "Xabi Alonso method" goes beyond the tactical; it encompasses profound leadership and locker room management skills. The Tolosa-born coach focuses on "the commitment of absolutely everyone and order". His Leverkusen players emphasised his ability to "get the most out of each player at all times" and his knack for teaching "how and when to pass" and becoming more consistent. His style is characterised by "flexibility, intelligence, and a willingness to constantly learn".

Alonso has absorbed influences from outstanding mentors such as Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola. From Ancelotti, his former manager, Alonso acknowledges having been "hugely influenced" and affirms that without that learning, "I wouldn't be here." From Guardiola, he learnt that "you can always learn and that the method creates a solid culture for success." This combination of experience and openness to learning allows him to generate a climate of "total trust" in his teams, which translates into unwavering faith and the ability to overcome adverse situations. His serenity on the bench and his clear speech are pillars of his leadership, crucial elements for handling the pressure inherent in a club like Real Madrid.

Real Madrid Under Xabi Alonso's Scrutiny: What Will Change?

Tactical Impact and Possible XI

Xabi Alonso's arrival at Real Madrid heralds a significant tactical transformation. Although the team lined up in a 4-3-3 formation in his Club World Cup debut, which at times became a 4-4-2 in the defensive phase, Alonso already showed "tactical touches" of his ideology, such as the high press. However, the need to work on "disorganisation" and "automatic" play was also evident.

Alonso is expected to implement his game plan with a three-man defence and two long-range wing-backs to create more space on the wings. This would entail a drastic change in midfield, switching to a double pivot instead of the usual three midfielders. Players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Álvaro Carreras are mentioned as ideal candidates for these wing-backs due to their excellent ball-carrying ability, technique, and associative ability, as well as their attacking prowess. Alexander-Arnold, in particular, could play more central positions, taking advantage of his lethal attacking potential.

In terms of individual roles, Xabi Alonso will look to promote Jude Bellingham in a more pure midfield position, away from the attacking midfielder, to exploit his "midfield soul" and his ability to cover the pitch and get into the box. Kylian Mbappé, the new signing, will be a "more dynamic" striker, not a positional "reference number nine", but one who "scores a lot of goals" and who will move freely in attack. The versatility of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes will allow for rotations and combinations up front, creating a formidable attacking trident.

Aurélien Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde, both possessing great physical and technical ability, could dominate the midfield as a double pivot. Eduardo Camavinga, with his versatility, will be a key player to compete in that area or as a backup. In defence, the Rüdiger-Militão pairing is expected to start, although the need for an additional centre-back for a three-defender system is a recurring theme. The starting lineup for their Club World Cup debut, featuring Courtois, Alexander-Arnold, Asencio, Huijsen, F. García, Güler, Tchouaméni, Valverde, Bellingham, Vinicius, and Gonzalo García, already showed some of these intentions.

Template and Player Adaptation

Xabi Alonso's arrival at Real Madrid will reconfigure the roles within the squad, strengthening certain players and putting others in a more complex situation.

Key Players Empowered

The youth and talent of Real Madrid's current squad are an invaluable asset to Alonso's philosophy. Jude Bellingham, with his ability to cover a large area of ground and his "midfielder's soul", will be fundamental to Alonso's scheme, seeking to unleash his full potential in the centre of the pitch. The duo of Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappé will form a key attacking duo, with movements that will free up each other and create synergies on the pitch, adapting to different game situations. Furthermore, young talents such as Arda Güler and Gonzalo García, who already saw their prominence increase in Alonso's Club World Cup debut, could consolidate their position under his direction. Alonso seeks to bring out "the best in each of them and build a good team."

Players at Risk

The high intensity and the requirement for consistent offensive and defensive input in Alonso's system could reduce the role of some players. Lucas Vázquez, Dani Ceballos, Ferland Mendy, and Jesús Vallejo are noted as possible discards due to their performance or incompatibility with the attacking full-back style of play and the need for greater contribution. For example, Mendy, despite his defensive solidity, lacks the offensive contribution Alonso seeks from his full-backs. Rodrygo Goes, despite his quality, could see his starting place threatened by the versatility of Mbappé and Vinicius, as already seen in Alonso's debut, where he was a substitute. The role of Luka Modric, a club legend, could also become more secondary in a midfield that is being reconfigured without Toni Kroos and with the emergence of new talent.

Transfer Needs

Although Xabi Alonso has stated that it is not time to think about transfers and that he has a dominant midfield with the current players, adapting to his system could require adjustments to the squad. Implementing a back three could require an additional centre-back to compete with Rüdiger and Militão. Likewise, the search for specific fullbacks who fit his model, such as Alexander-Arnold and Carreras, is a clear objective. In the long term, the search for a "central midfielder or interior" who emulates his own "metronome" profile and can command play from midfield could be a priority if that quality is not found in the current squad.

Short-Term Challenges

Xabi Alonso's debut in the Club World Cup, a 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal, already highlighted the immediate challenges. While there were "tactical touches" of his style, there was a clear lack of "automaticity" and "disorganisation" in the team's pressing. Alonso himself acknowledged that the team is in the process of being built and that "you can't change everything in five days.. Integrating new ideas and players like Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dean Huijsen into such a demanding tournament is a challenge that requires patience and daily work.

Managing Real Madrid comes with immense pressure and a constant hunger for titles from the fans and the club. Alonso will have to manage these high expectations, especially after a less-than-convincing start. But the coach stays calm and practical: "Living with it is part of the job." You can't always control the outcome, but you can control your decisions." His approach is centred on "taking steps" and feeling that they are "working as a team" and recognising how they want to compete and play.

Long-Term Vision

Xabi Alonso's long-term vision for Real Madrid is ambitious and deeply rooted in the club's identity. He seeks to build a team that "conveys emotions to the fans" and is "worthy of Real Madrid and the titles it has won." His goal is a "beautiful" project with a team that "will improve" over time.

The consolidation of their playing style, based on purposeful possession, high pressing, and tactical fluidity, will be key to sustained success. The development of their young guard, featuring Kylian Mbappé, Vinicius Junior, Jude Bellingham, Arda Güler, and Endrick, will be a fundamental pillar of their era, projecting a solid and reliable attacking trident for the next five years. The pursuit of the "Orejona" (Big Ears), the Champions League, the club's "great obsession", will be the main objective each season. The combination of their tactical vision and Real Madrid's unwavering ambition bodes well for a promising future at the Santiago Bernabéu.

A fundamental aspect of the team's transformation under Alonso will be the redefinition of the full-back profile. Alonso's tactical emphasis on "attacking wing-backs" and his explicit mention of players like Alexander-Arnold and Carreras signal a significant shift from the traditional role of the full-back at Real Madrid. The goal is for full-backs not only to be defensively solid but also to play a significant role in the build-up of play, provide width, and occasionally move into attacking interior positions. This evolution entails a redefinition of a key position, transforming them into a kind of wide attacking midfielder, essential to the fluid system Alonso seeks to implement.

The Legacy of Former Players on the Real Madrid Bench: A Favourable Precedent?

A Tradition of Mixed Success

The return of Real Madrid's legends to the dugout, a tradition that has yielded mixed results, intrinsically links the club's history. Some former players have achieved resounding success, while others have failed to replicate their footballing brilliance in the coaching role.

Among the most notable success stories is Miguel Muñoz, who is not only the coach with the most appearances (605) but also the second most successful in the club's history, with 14 titles, including 9 La Liga titles and 2 European Cups. More recently, Zinedine Zidane became an icon by winning 11 titles, including the historic milestone of three consecutive Champions Leagues. Vicente del Bosque, with 8 titles (2 La Ligas, 2 Champions Leagues), is also an example of a former player who triumphed in the Real Madrid dugout. The success of these managers is often attributed to their deep understanding of the club's culture, their ability to manage star-studded dressing rooms, and their innate leadership.

However, history also shows that success as a footballer does not guarantee the same level of success as a coach. Other former players, such as Alfredo Di Stéfano (1 Super Cup), Santiago Solari (1 Club World Cup), or Jorge Valdano (1 La Liga), had shorter spells or less extensive trophy cabinets. Globally, football is full of examples of great players (such as Diego Armando Maradona, Hugo Sánchez, Ruud Gullit, Hristo Stoichkov, Clarence Seedorf, Alan Shearer, Filippo Inzaghi, or Lothar Matthäus) who failed to shine in the dugout of any club. This underscores that tactical intelligence, team management skills, and the ability to convey a game plan are distinct qualities from individual brilliance on the pitch.

Xabi Alonso in the Madridista Tradition

Having begun his coaching career in Real Madrid's youth system, leading the U-14 team in the 2018-19 season, Xabi Alonso already has an institutional connection and in-depth knowledge of the "White House". This path, which took him to Real Sociedad B before his successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen, positions him favourably within the Real Madrid tradition. His career aligns more with success stories like Zidane and Del Bosque, who also had deep roots in the club's structure before taking over the first team.

Looking at Real Madrid's history reveals that while the success of a former player in the dugout varies, those with prior youth experience or a deep connection with the club beyond just playing for the first team tend to have a greater impact. This familiarity with the club's unique culture, its demands, and its internal dynamics, acquired through previous coaching experience within the club itself, appears to be a determining factor for a former player's success in the top job. It's not just about being a legend on the field, but also about being a "Madridista" in the managerial sense, comprehending the club's ethos and values from the very beginning. Not only is Alonso a returning legend, but he also possesses a proven methodology, an upward trajectory, and a deep understanding of the club's intricacies.

Below is a table summarising the impact of some of Real Madrid's coaches with playing experience, providing some historical context for Xabi Alonso's arrival:

Table: Real Madrid Managers with Past as Players

Coach	Period(s) as Coach	Directed Parties (PJ)	Victories (PG)	Ties (TD)	Defeats (PP)	Winning Percentage (%)	Titles Won (Number and Type)
Miguel Muñoz	1959, 1960-1974	605	357	128	120	59.01%	14 (9 Leagues, 2 European Cups, 2 King's Cups, 1 Intercontinental Cup)
Zinedine Zidane	2016-2018, 2019-2021	263	172	55	36	65.4%	11 (3 Champions League, 2 Ligas, 2 European Super Cups, 2 Club World Cups, 2 Spanish Super Cups)
Vicente del Bosque	1994, 1996, 1999-2003	246	133	58	55	54.07%	8 (2 Leagues, 2 European Cups, 1 Spanish Super Cup, 1 European Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup, 1 Ibero-American Cup)
Alfredo Di Stéfano	1982-1984, 1990-1991	129	72	26	31	55.81%	1 (1 Super Cup)
Santiago Solari	2018-2019	32	22	2	8	68.75%	1 (1 Club World Cup)
Jorge Valdano	1994-1996	78	39	17	22	50%	1 (1 League)
Xabi Alonso	2025-Present	1	0	1	0	0%	0 (In office)

Xabi Alonso: The Dawn of a New Era at the Santiago Bernabéu

Xabi Alonso's arrival at Real Madrid after his successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen isn't simply a change of coach but the dawn of a new era at the Santiago Bernabéu. His playing philosophy, based on purposeful possession in the opposition half, high pressing, and tactical fluidity, promises attractive and, above all, effective football. His ability to adapt systems and leverage individual talent, as he demonstrated in Germany, will be crucial for Real Madrid.

Although their Club World Cup debut, a draw against Al-Hilal, highlighted the initial challenges of integrating his ideas into a star-studded squad and the need to refine their automatisms and pressure, the team's individual quality is undeniable. Alonso's pragmatic and calm leadership, which values commitment and order, will be a key pillar in managing the immense pressure and high expectations that always accompany Real Madrid.

Alonso, a returning legend with a proven methodology and an innate understanding of the club, joins a tradition of former players in the Real Madrid dugout. His career, which includes previous experience in the Real Madrid youth academy, aligns him with success stories such as Miguel Muñoz, Zinedine Zidane, and Vicente del Bosque, who also had deep roots in the institution before taking over the first team. This institutional connection and knowledge of the club's ethos are factors that have historically contributed to the success of "Madridistas" in the dugout.

The road ahead will be demanding, with the need to integrate players like Kylian Mbappé, redefine roles (such as Bellingham's move to a central midfielder or the full-back's transformation into an attacking wing-back), and possibly make adjustments to the squad to maximise compatibility with his system. However, the combination of Xabi Alonso's tactical vision and the club's unwavering ambition bodes well for the future at the Santiago Bernabéu, with the clear goal of adding new chapters of glory to Real Madrid's history and continuing to fight for every title. Hala Madrid!