Carlo Ancelotti has delivered a resounding vote of confidence in his successor at Real Madrid, declaring that Xabi Alonso possesses all the qualities necessary to thrive at the Santiago Bernabéu. The legendary Italian manager, who departed Los Blancos in summer 2025 to take charge of Brazil’s national team, spoke glowingly about his former player in a comprehensive interview with Spanish outlet Diario AS. Ancelotti’s emphatic endorsement comes as Alonso navigates his maiden season in charge of the Spanish giants, having replaced the most successful coach in Real Madrid history after a trophy-laden era that yielded 15 major honors across two spells.
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The Prophecy Fulfilled: From Midfield Maestro to Managerial Success
When asked directly whether Xabi Alonso would succeed at Real Madrid, Ancelotti responded with unwavering certainty: “Obviously, yes. I see a solid team, especially at the back, and very effective in attack. Mbappé is doing very well, and Bellingham is back. I think Xabi can succeed without any problem.”
| Ancelotti’s Real Madrid Legacy |
|---|
| Total Trophies: 15 major honors |
| Champions League Titles: 3 (2014, 2022, 2024) |
| La Liga Titles: 2 |
| Copa del Rey: 2 |
| First Spell: 2013-2015 |
| Second Spell: 2021-2025 |
| Total Seasons: 6 seasons across both spells |
The 66-year-old Italian coach revealed that he had recognized Alonso’s managerial potential during their time together as player and coach. “Xabi, yes. Absolutely. I had him at Bayern too. A footballer with great vision,” Ancelotti explained. “I was convinced he could do very well… and he is doing very well.”
This prescient assessment has proven remarkably accurate. Ancelotti managed Alonso during his playing days at both Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, witnessing firsthand the Spanish midfielder’s tactical intelligence, leadership qualities, and deep understanding of the game—attributes that have translated seamlessly into his coaching career.
The Transition: From Champion to Champion-Maker
Xabi Alonso’s appointment as Real Madrid head coach was officially confirmed on May 25, 2025, just one day after Ancelotti took charge of his final match—a fitting 2-0 victory over Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabéu. The 43-year-old penned a three-year contract running until June 30, 2028, with the specific mandate to restore Real Madrid’s dominance after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign that ended without major silverware.
The timing of Alonso’s arrival was strategically planned to allow him to lead Real Madrid into the inaugural edition of the expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, which kicked off on June 15, 2025. This early appointment demonstrated the club’s confidence in their chosen successor and provided crucial preparation time before the 2025-26 season.
| Xabi Alonso’s Journey to Real Madrid |
|---|
| Playing Career at Real Madrid: 236 appearances (2009-2014) |
| Trophies as Real Player: 6 (including 2014 Champions League) |
| Leverkusen Appointment: October 2022 |
| Bundesliga Title: 2023-24 (unbeaten season) |
| German Cup Victory: 2024 |
| Real Madrid Appointment: May 25, 2025 |
| Contract Length: 3 years (until June 2028) |
Alonso arrived at Real Madrid with an impressive managerial résumé built during his transformative three-year spell at Bayer Leverkusen. He had inherited a struggling team sitting in the Bundesliga relegation zone in October 2022 and orchestrated one of German football’s greatest success stories, culminating in an unprecedented unbeaten domestic double in 2024 that ended Bayern Munich’s 11-year stranglehold on the German title.
A Spectacular Start Despite Recent Setbacks
Xabi Alonso’s tenure at Real Madrid began with remarkable success, as Los Blancos posted their best start to a season in 64 years. The Spanish coach guided his team to 13 victories in their opening 14 matches across all competitions, implementing a possession-based tactical system that echoed both his playing philosophy and the successful approach he had developed at Leverkusen.
However, recent setbacks have provided Alonso with his first significant challenges in the Madrid hotseat. A 1-0 Champions League defeat to Liverpool, followed by a frustrating goalless draw at Rayo Vallecano in La Liga, has sparked inevitable scrutiny—a reality that Ancelotti himself acknowledged with characteristic wisdom.
“One thing I learned at Real Madrid is that a draw here is the prelude to a crisis,” Ancelotti noted with a knowing smile. “No jokes. You have to get used to it. We already know that the best way to evaluate a coach is through results, and so far, the results have been spectacular. They’re top of the league and among the top eight in the Champions League. What more can we ask of Xabi!“
Ancelotti’s Measured Assessment of Challenges
The Italian tactician demonstrated his deep understanding of Real Madrid’s demanding environment by contextualizing Alonso’s early struggles. Ancelotti pointed out that any criticism directed at his successor has been overblown, particularly given the circumstances surrounding his arrival.
“I can’t give him any advice. I watch all of Real Madrid’s matches because I want to see how the Brazilians are doing, and I think the team is doing very well,” Ancelotti explained. “They’ve won almost every game, but unfortunately, you can’t always win in football. Sometimes you have to draw.“
Ancelotti also reflected candidly on the factors that undermined Real Madrid’s 2024-25 campaign, which ended without major silverware for the first time in years. “What happened is that we lost the entire starting defense. We lost Carvajal and Militao, and Rüdiger played with a serious problem,” he revealed. “Many times I had to put Valverde at right back and Tchouameni at center back, which left the midfield with significant absences. We lost solidity at the back and that cost us titles.”
This defensive crisis forced Ancelotti into tactical compromises that disrupted the team’s balance—a situation that Alonso has partially rectified through the emergence of academy product Raúl Asencio and the return to fitness of key defenders.
The Keys to Alonso’s Success
Ancelotti identified several factors that position Xabi Alonso for success at Real Madrid. The current Brazil coach emphasized the improved defensive solidity and attacking potency that has characterized Los Blancos under their new manager.
“I see a solid team, especially at the back, and very strong in attack. Mbappé is doing very well and Bellingham is back,” Ancelotti observed. The French superstar’s integration into the team has been particularly impressive, with Kylian Mbappé finding his rhythm after a challenging start, while Jude Bellingham’s return to full fitness has restored creativity and goal-scoring threat from midfield.
Beyond tactical considerations, Ancelotti’s endorsement carries immense weight because of his unique understanding of what success at Real Madrid demands. The Italian is the most decorated coach in Champions League history with five titles (two with AC Milan, three with Real Madrid) and departed the Santiago Bernabéu as the club’s most successful manager ever with 15 trophies.
The Magnanimous Farewell
When Ancelotti first learned that Alonso would be his successor, the Italian responded with characteristic grace and generosity. “I saw [Alonso’s announcement]. I’ve read he’s leaving Leverkusen, where he’s done a fantastic job,” Ancelotti said in May 2025. “All doors are open to him, because he’s shown himself to be one of the best coaches in the world.”
This magnanimous assessment reflected not only professional respect but also genuine affection between two men whose paths have intertwined throughout Alonso’s career. Ancelotti managed the Spaniard during the pinnacle of his playing days, including the unforgettable 2014 Champions League triumph that secured Real Madrid’s long-awaited “La Décima”—their tenth European Cup.
The emotional bond between Ancelotti and Real Madrid remained evident during his farewell. “I have it in my genetics that I get emotional very quickly, because my grandfather did that, and my father too, so it will be a very emotional day,” Ancelotti admitted before his final match. “I have no problem if I end up crying, no problem at all, I will not hide it in that sense. It will be a beautiful day.”
Brazil Beckons, But Madrid Remains in the Heart
Ancelotti’s decision to accept the Brazil national team position marked a significant departure from his original intention to avoid another club role after leaving Real Madrid. “Looking back, I think we had a great time; overall, they were spectacular years,” he reflected. “Not just because of the titles we won, but because of what we went through to win them. The Champions League comebacks are an incredible memory. We’ll never forget it.“
The Italian explained that his connection to Real Madrid made considering another club position emotionally difficult. “So thinking about going to another club was difficult for me because of the legacy I had left there, which was huge,” he admitted. However, when Brazil—a national team he described as having unique appeal—came calling, the opportunity proved impossible to refuse.
Now leading the Seleção toward the 2026 World Cup, Ancelotti continues to follow Real Madrid’s fortunes closely, both to monitor Brazilian players in the squad and because his “honeymoon with Real Madrid will continue all my life.”
The Weight of Expectation
Xabi Alonso inherits a squad packed with world-class talent including Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, Bellingham, and a supporting cast of elite players. However, he also faces the immense pressure that accompanies managing the world’s most successful club, where anything less than multiple trophies per season is considered underachievement.
Reports have emerged suggesting that some dressing room tension has surfaced, with Vinícius Júnior’s public outburst and subsequent media speculation about internal dynamics at Valdebebas. These challenges represent the kind of man-management tests that separate good coaches from great ones at Real Madrid’s unforgiving level.
Yet Ancelotti’s confidence in his successor remains unshaken. The Italian’s assessment—that Alonso possesses the tactical acumen, man-management skills, and understanding of Real Madrid’s unique culture necessary for success—carries enormous credibility given his own unparalleled achievements at the club.
The Circle Completes
The transition from Ancelotti to Alonso represents a fitting continuation of Real Madrid’s philosophy of promoting those who understand the club’s DNA. Xabi Alonso is not merely a coach hired for his tactical prowess; he is a Madrid legend who won six trophies during his playing career at the Bernabéu, including that emotional 2014 Champions League triumph under Ancelotti’s guidance.
His deep understanding of the club’s history, expectations, and culture—combined with his proven ability to implement progressive tactical systems and develop young talent—positions him ideally to write the next chapter in Real Madrid’s storied history.
As Ancelotti settles into his new role with Brazil, his parting message to Alonso resonates with the wisdom of experience and the confidence of someone who recognizes a kindred spirit: “I think Xabi can succeed without any problem.”
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FAQs
What did Ancelotti say about Xabi Alonso at Real Madrid?
Ancelotti stated: “Obviously, yes. I see a solid team, especially at the back, and very effective in attack. Mbappé is doing very well, and Bellingham is back. I think Xabi can succeed without any problem.” He called Alonso “one of the best coaches in the world” with “all doors open” to him.
When did Xabi Alonso replace Ancelotti as Real Madrid coach?
Xabi Alonso officially replaced Ancelotti on May 25, 2025, taking charge immediately after Ancelotti’s final match against Real Sociedad. Alonso signed a three-year contract until June 2028 and led the team into the Club World Cup starting June 15, 2025.
How successful was Ancelotti at Real Madrid?
Ancelotti is Real Madrid’s most successful manager with 15 trophies across two spells (2013-2015 and 2021-2025). He won three Champions League titles, two La Liga championships, and two Copa del Rey trophies, departing as a club legend before taking the Brazil national team position.
What was Xabi Alonso’s record at Bayer Leverkusen?
Xabi Alonso transformed Bayer Leverkusen from relegation candidates to Bundesliga champions in an unbeaten 2023-24 season, ending Bayern Munich’s 11-year dominance. He also won the German Cup and German Super Cup during his three-year spell before joining Real Madrid.
How has Xabi Alonso started his Real Madrid tenure?
Alonso began spectacularly, winning 13 of his first 14 matches—Real Madrid’s best start to a season in 64 years. Despite recent setbacks including defeats to Liverpool and a draw with Rayo Vallecano, Real Madrid remain top of La Liga and among the Champions League’s top eight teams.