Xabi Alonso Sets Objective To Make Real Madrid “Unstoppable”

Real Madrid officially presented Xabi Alonso as their new coach on Monday at the club’s training facilities in Valdebebas, after he put pen to paper to complete a move from German side Bayer Leverkusen.

The former Liverpool midfielder returns to the club where he won a Champions League title as a player and previously worked as a coach in the youth system. Now back as first-team coach, he gave a rousing speech at his presentation before meeting the press and answering their questions.

“I have the feeling that this is the beginning of a new era,” he said as he spoke to an assembled crowd of club officials, fans, players and press.

“We are starting a period in which I feel that the club and the fans are united, we have a great team, we have fantastic players and very good potential,” he continued. “That gives me reason to come here with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We have the conviction that we can achieve important things, worthy of Real Madrid and these European Cups. We want the fans to be proud, that we transmit emotions, joy. We want people to go to the stadium to enjoy themselves. If we manage to ignite that, we will have an unstoppable force. We are convinced that we can do great things.”

Xabi Alonso on how he wants Real Madrid to play

Much of the speculation since Alonso was confirmed as the next Real Madrid coach has surrounded what kind of system he will use with his new squad, and whether he would stick with his 3-4-3 shape which would mark a change from the 4-3-3 which Carlo Ancelotti has used at Real Madrid in recent years.

“It’s a good question, and I like it because today’s soccer demands flexibility and dynamics, it demands that you move your pieces around,” he responded when asked about it in his debut press conference on Monday.

The Basque coach went on to add that “I have an idea of ​​how we want to play, but the system can change, I want the team to convey emotion and energy, play ambitiously, and connect with the fans” before insisting that his ultimate mission is “to improve each player’s potential to fit the pieces together”.

One of the biggest questions that will now emerge is likely to surround how Alonso will manage the strength in depth available to him in offensive positions.

“Soccer is dynamic, I want us to interpret the game and for the players to be able to play where they’re most comfortable, where they can best demonstrate their physical, tactical, and mental qualities,” he said when asked about it, before adding a touch of humour as he said, “the good thing is having good players, then the rest is my problem”.

Alonso on Mbappé, Vinícius, Bellingham and Rodrygo

Discussing the talents of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, two stars whose similar roles caused problems for Ancelotti, the former Bayer Leverkusen coach insisted that having them both is “a blessing”. Alonso explained that “they’re differential players, they make the difference, and we have to get everything they have. I have ideas. There’s still time before we get together with them, but for me, communicating what we want is very important”.

Alonso then went on to describe midfielder Jude Bellingham as a “special” player and a “milestone player for Real Madrid” who will be “fundamental to the club’s future”. One of the other headlines was about another individual, Rodrygo Goes, linked with a move away, as he explained that, “Rodrygo is a Real Madrid player, and I’ll speak to everyone who’s a Real Madrid player”, before describing the Brazilian attacker as “a spectacular player” and insisting that Real Madrid “will need him”.

Alonso is set to make his debut in the dugout when Real Madrid take on Al Hilal in the FIFA Club World Cup on June 18th at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.