Xabi’s Inner Circle Joins Him in Madrid

Xabi Alonso is set to begin his journey with Real Madrid, and he won’t be coming alone. The Basque tactician will bring along three key members from his staff at Bayer Leverkusen: Sebas Parrilla, Alberto Encinas, and Ismael Camenforte. Two of them have a past linked to Barcelona, adding an interesting subplot to Alonso’s new chapter in Madrid.

Sebas Parrilla, born in Argentina, has been Alonso’s right-hand man since their time at Real Madrid’s youth setup. Their collaboration continued at Real Sociedad B, and Parrilla has consistently been the one to step in when Alonso has been unavailable. His coaching journey also includes a stint at Rayo Majadahonda and youth academies in Mexico, highlighting his global experience.

From Blaugrana to Blanco: The Barcelona Connection

Perhaps the most surprising element is the inclusion of two ex-Barcelona staff members: Alberto Encinas and Ismael Camenforte. Encinas, a 43-year-old Catalan, worked with Barcelona B under García Pimienta from 2018 to 2021. He later joined Leverkusen, initially under Gerardo Seoane, before becoming a part of Alonso’s successful tenure in Germany.

Camenforte, 40, is a seasoned physical trainer and methodology expert. He began his career at Barcelona B, where he assisted Domènec Torrent, before moving to New York City FC and then to Denmark. Since 2021, he has been part of the Leverkusen staff, building a strong rapport with Alonso.

The hiring of Xabi Alonso ushers in a new era at Real Madrid, marked not just by a change in tactical direction but also by a diverse and experienced support staff. The inclusion of former Barcelona personnel might raise eyebrows among fans, but it reflects Alonso’s pragmatic and inclusive approach to building a winning project.

With the LaLiga title and European dominance in sight, Xabi Alonso’s first challenge will be to replicate the tactical brilliance that earned him accolades in the Bundesliga—this time on one of football’s biggest stages.