Xabi Alonso promised a new era for Real Madrid after being unveiled as a manager on Monday, convinced that he can achieve important things while building on the inheritance that his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti left behind.
Alonso was appointed manager on Sunday and returned to the Santiago Bernabeu, where he spent six seasons as a player and won several trophies.
The 43-year-old had been in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, whom he led to a two-squeeze last season when they won the German cup and led their first Bundesliga title without losing a match.
“Without a doubt this is a very special day for me. A day that I will have marked in my calendar for life. I am very happy to be here, in what I feel is my home,” said Alonso, who will start his term of office for the Club World Cup.
“The bond with Madrid has never stopped and since I entered Valdebebas (training center) one and a half hours ago, that feeling has been reborn. I have the feeling that this is the start of a new era.
“We have a great team, we have fantastic players and a very good potential. That gives me reason to come here with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. We are convinced that we can achieve important things, worthy that Real Madrid and these European cups are worthy.”
New look real?
Asked which playing style he would implement at Real, Alonso told reporters: “It's a good question and I like it because today's football asks you to be flexible and dynamic. It asks you to know how to move the pieces.
“I have an idea of ​​how we want to play, but the system can change. I want the team to transmit emotion, energy, play ambitious and make contact with the people.
“The symbiosis we are looking for is fundamentally for the stage to start well. I like to be the potential of everyone to fit the pieces together.”
Grind standards
Alonso takes the lead for a real side that had a Sub-PAR season according to their own elevated standards, secondly ending in Laliga behind Barcelona, ​​which she also defeated in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey Finals.
They were beaten from the Champions League as holders in the quarterfinals by Arsenal.
An important problem that was confronted this season was the best from attackers Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius JR, where both prefer to play on the left wing.
“It's happiness that we have players of that level. Not only Kylian or Vinicius, but many others,” said Alonso.
“They are different, they make the difference and we have to get everything out of it. I have ideas. There is still time until we meet. But for me it is very important to communicate what we want. They are high -level players and that is my task.”
Alonso has signed a three -year contract until June 2028 and replaces Ancelotti, who is in charge of his last game on Saturday.
In his speech on the presentation, the Spaniard tribute to his former coach.
“Before I start talking about the new era, I don't want to forget to talk about the era that just ended,” said Alonso.
“Carlo was my coach, a big person and a huge influence. Without his control I would probably not be here. I will take it over and continue his legacy with great honor and pride.
“I hope to meet expectations and bring the club to all the places that we all believe we can.”