How Defeated Real Madrid Will Change Under Incoming Coach Xabi Alonso

Real Madrid is saying goodbye to its most successful coach. Over two stints, Carlo Ancelotti has guided Los Blancos to 15 trophies. So, as the Italian soon assumes Brazil’s national team post, it’s paradoxical that Madrid, by its lofty standards, is now something of a mess. Madrid’s remedy? Outgoing Bayer Leverkusen hero Xabi Alonso, who joins at the start of June.

The situation facing Alonso is clear. Aside from enduring a rare trophy-less season—in which some of its dominant façade has eroded—Real is, quite bluntly, unspectacular. There is a lack of structure, the dots not joining up, and an imbalance holding it back. A shake-up is needed.

Regarding job specifications, the head coach of Real Madrid’s men’s team is unique. Quality players are everywhere, so they don’t need coaching as such. Managing vibrant personalities, considerable expectations, and heavy scrutiny is usually a priority. By and large, Ancelotti—a picture of calm—has done that brilliantly.

Only this time, a tactically astute coach is required. Alonso has an obvious pull. Used to the inner workings of the club, he was orchestrating play from its midfield just over a decade ago. And he now brings the coaching credentials, turning relegation-imperilled Bayer Leverkusen into unbeaten Bundesliga champion last year. A still respectable Leverkusen has faded a little in 2024/25, trumped by Bayern Munich in Germany and the Champions League.

As for the mentioned demands, how Alonso deals with the noise remains to be seen, despite being Mr. Cool. Clear is an ability to get the players clicking, joining up those dots with slick passing triangles. With youth coaching experience, he can achieve that with youngsters, but help in the transfer market would help. Luckily for him, the parts are starting to move at Real.

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Shapeshifting Real Madrid

The dressing room could look very different when Alonso gets his first taste of Real Madrid management at the Club World Cup in June and July. As his contract nears an end, legendary number 1o Luka Modric is probably on his way out. The same goes for long-serving full-back Lucas Vásquez. And the hierarchy must consider who else is dispensable and at what price.

Looking toward arrivals, Real is reportedly in a strong position to sign left-back Álvaro Carreras from Benfica—pushing for a deal (Spanish) under €50 million ($56 million), El Mundo has confirmed. It would mark a romantic return for the attack-minded Spaniard, once part of Real’s academy. Meanwhile, Dean Huijsen already has a foot in the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, with the Bournemouth defender’s €59 million ($66 million) release clause now activated. On the other side of the backline, Trent Alexander-Arnold seems poised to come.

On that, how Alonso incorporates right-back Alexander-Arnold will be fascinating. If he favors the 3-4-3 formation that reaped the rewards at Leverkusen, will Liverpool’s offensive wizard play on the right of midfield? Whatever the setup, Alonso may be inclined to deploy Alexander-Arnold in central midfield, making the most of his versatility and passing range. His presence could transform the XI.

Of course, another crucial piece in the jigsaw is Kylian Mbappé. The Frenchman’s presence has arguably disrupted the team’s shape, but his strike rate is impressive. In his first season, 28-goal Mbappé is on course to win La Liga’s Pichichi top scorer accolade. And Real Madrid can never be far from challenging with someone like him in the starting lineup. The task is harmonising all the talents.

Given its less-than-ideal shape, Alonso won’t necessarily turn everything around immediately. But there could be much better soccer and more clarity on Madrid’s direction.