El Chiringuito announced yesterday that Xabi Alonso would succeed Ancelotti on 1 June, while the still Leverkusen coach celebrated his departure

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Xabi Alonso set to take the reins at Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso will be Real Madrid's next coach from 1 June. This was announced by Josep Pedrerol on ‘El Chiringuito’, confirming that Alonso will leave his time at Bayer Leverkusen just after the last Bundesliga game to take charge of Real Madrid for the Club World Cup, which kicks off on the 14th of the same month. This dispels doubts about who would take over from Carlo Ancelotti, definitively ruling out the option of Santiago Solari.

Leverkusen's season has been remarkable: the team has secured second place in the German league and qualified for the next Champions League. With all the homework done, Xabi has given his squad two days off and left the German city, further fuelling speculation about his imminent arrival in Madrid. Although he has not yet been officially presented, his arrival is imminent.

The contract with Real Madrid will be for three seasons, reflecting the club's firm commitment to the former midfielder from San Sebastian, who already knows Real Madrid inside out after five years as a player. Now he returns with the aim of leading a new project from the bench.

Along with Xabi Alonso, there will also be a partial renewal of the squad. According to reports, the coach has at least three important reinforcements in mind. The most prominent is Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Liverpool full-back who is about to close his time with the Reds amid a tense farewell despite the recent Premier League title. In addition, they will look to strengthen the defence with a new left-back and centre-back, two positions that have generated doubts this season.

On a personal level, Alonso will not be alone in this new phase. As always, his agent and most trusted man, Iñaki Ibáñez, has been by his side during these key days. Ibañez, discreet but very influential in the world of football, also accompanied the coach during his playing career and currently manages the interests of coaches such as Mikel Arteta, Ernesto Valverde, José Luis Mendilibar and Andoni Iraola. His representation agency, made up of former players such as Peio Uralde and Vicente Biurrun, is playing a fundamental role in the organisation of this new professional stage.

The arrival of Xabi Alonso is not only a change of coach, but also a declaration of intent on the part of Real Madrid.