The 43-year-old former midfielder made 236 appearances for Real Madrid as a player, and also began his coaching career at the club’s academy. Alonso has now returned to his former club in a different capacity and role. He will sign a three-year contract, until June 2028, starting at the Club World Cup in the United States in June. Alonso is expected to be unveiled by Real Madrid on Monday.

“Alonso is one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid and world football. He defended our shirt in 236 official matches between 2009 and 2014. He won six titles during this time: the 10th European Cup in Lisbon, a European Super Cup, a national championship, two Spanish Cups and a Spanish Super Cup,” Real Madrid said. “He is now returning to Real Madrid as one of the best coaches in the world after making history with Bayer Leverkusen.”

As a coach, Alonso took Leverkusen from relegation-threatened last season to an unprecedented Bundesliga and German Cup double last year, in his first full season in charge. Leverkusen then made history as the only team to complete an entire Bundesliga campaign without losing a single game. Leverkusen’s only defeat in all competitions in 2023-24 was to Atalanta in the Europa League final. Leverkusen’s 35-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga only ended in August 2024, after a 3-2 home defeat to Leipzig. At the end of that season, Alonso’s team lost the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich.

He will now face huge demands at Real Madrid, where he will be tasked with responding to a dynamic Barcelona side led by the excellent Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, supported by a crop of young stars such as Pedri and Gavi. Alonso’s first task will be to get the team’s top stars – Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior – back on track after they failed to deliver last season.

The 43-year-old former midfielder made 236 appearances for Real Madrid as a player, and also began his coaching career at the club’s academy. Alonso has now returned to his former club in a different capacity and role. He will sign a three-year contract, until June 2028, starting at the Club World Cup in the United States in June. Alonso is expected to be unveiled by Real Madrid on Monday.

“Alonso is one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid and world football. He defended our shirt in 236 official matches between 2009 and 2014. He won six titles during this time: the 10th European Cup in Lisbon, a European Super Cup, a national championship, two Spanish Cups and a Spanish Super Cup,” Real Madrid said. “He is now returning to Real Madrid as one of the best coaches in the world after making history with Bayer Leverkusen.”

As a coach, Alonso took Leverkusen from relegation-threatened last season to an unprecedented Bundesliga and German Cup double last year, in his first full season in charge. Leverkusen then made history as the only team to complete an entire Bundesliga campaign without losing a single game. Leverkusen’s only defeat in all competitions in 2023-24 was to Atalanta in the Europa League final. Leverkusen’s 35-match unbeaten run in the Bundesliga only ended in August 2024, after a 3-2 home defeat to Leipzig. At the end of that season, Alonso’s team lost the Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich.

He will now face huge demands at Real Madrid, where he will be tasked with responding to a dynamic Barcelona side led by the excellent Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, supported by a crop of young stars such as Pedri and Gavi. Alonso’s first task will be to get the team’s top stars – Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior – back on track after they failed to deliver last season.