Xabi Alonso was officially unveiled as the new head coach of Real Madrid and made it clear: he’s not afraid to follow in the footsteps of Carlo Ancelotti, the most decorated manager in the club’s history. In his first press conference, Alonso spoke with excitement, confidence, and a deep sense of responsibility.

“It’s a very emotional day. A day I’ll always remember, because you only get one first day as Real Madrid manager,” he said. “I feel a great sense of responsibility and energy. I’m back home—and it feels like home again.”

“I’m not afraid—it’s a beautiful challenge”

Despite the immense legacy left by Ancelotti, Alonso wasn’t intimidated by the task ahead.

“It doesn’t scare me. It speaks to what came before. The pressure at Madrid is always huge, but it’s a beautiful challenge. We can do things that excite people—things that inspire the fans.”

He also emphasized how quickly he has embraced the new role:

“Since yesterday, I already consider myself the coach of Real Madrid. I’ve felt that energy and excitement since the announcement, and even more today. The next step is to be with the players.”

Club World Cup debut and a prestigious coaching lineage

On making his debut at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, Alonso described it as an unexpected but welcome opportunity:

“It’s a double opportunity—to accelerate the learning curve and fight for a title. If we manage both, it could be a perfect start.”

He also acknowledged the influence of some of football’s greatest minds on his career:

“Benítez, Del Bosque, Mourinho, Guardiola, Ancelotti—I learned something from all of them. And my father, he was my biggest influence. But now it’s time to write my own stylebook.”