Real Madrid have officially appointed Xabi Alonso as coach. The former midfielder will succeed the departed Carlo Ancelotti.
The Spanish coach comes after an excellent period at Leverkusen, where last season he won the title and the German Cup, while reaching the Europa League final.
Real Madrid has announced that a 3-year contract has been signed between the parties, which will be valid until June 30, 2028.
Alonso returns to Madrid, where he played 236 games as a player, from 2009 to 2014. He won six trophies with Real Madrid, including the Champions League, the European Super Cup, La Liga, the Spanish Super Cup and twice the Copa del Rey.
Alonso also began his coaching career with Real Madrid's youth teams, and now he returns to manage the first team.