Alonso declares 'start of new era' at Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso declared nan commencement of a caller era during his charismatic unveiling arsenic nan caller head of Real Madrid.

Alonso, 43, was appointed head of his erstwhile nine connected a three-year woody connected Sunday, replacing Carlo Ancelotti - who will return complaint of nan Brazil men's nationalist team.

Madrid endured a disappointing run - surrendering their La Liga title to Barcelona, losing to their arch-rivals successful nan finals of nan Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa, and crashing retired of nan Champions League to Arsenal successful nan quarter-finals.

But during a reside astatine Madrid's Valdebebas training crushed connected Monday, Alonso said: "It's nan commencement of an era."

He added: "The Real Madrid fans are excited to statesman this caller era, to grow, and to make nan history of this nine moreover greater.

"It's a typical day. It's a time I will person marked successful my almanac for life. I americium very happy to beryllium here, successful what I consciousness is my home."

Alonso, who won a convention and cup double pinch Bayer Leverkusen successful 2023-24, explained his determination to return to Madrid 11 years aft he near nan nine arsenic a player.

"We person awesome players, we person a squad that has a batch of potential, [capable of] a very bully coming and a very bully future," he said.

"That gives maine a batch of logic to travel present pinch a batch of power and a batch of dream that I tin get nan champion retired of each nan players and build a awesome team.

"[I have] nan condemnation that we tin execute large things, worthy of Real Madrid, worthy of each these European Cups, of each these accomplishments made complete truthful galore years.

"I want a squad that transmits emotion, energy, eager play and connects pinch nan fans."

Alonso paid tribute to Ancelotti - who won 3 Champions Leagues, 2 Club World Cups and 2 La Liga titles crossed 2 spells pinch Los Blancos - and besides managed Alonso astatine some Real and Bayern Munich.

"Carlo was my coach, a awesome personification and a immense influence. Without his mastery, I astir apt wouldn't beryllium here," he said.

"I return complete and transportation connected his bequest pinch awesome honour and pride."

Alonso will statesman his tenure connected 1 June, earlier nan Fifa Club World Cup adjacent month.