Alonso was plucked from La Real as one of Europe’s highest rated coaches and led Bayer Leverkusen to a first-ever Bundesliga title before completing his return to Madrid summer.
The challenge for Alonso is to bring Real Madrid back into contention, after failing to win a trophy under Ancelotti, and his early signs look positive.
Image via JESUS ALVAREZ ORIHUELA/Diario AS
There has also been a change on the bench at Real Sociedad, with Alonso’s replacement as B team boss Sergio Francisco stepping up, to come in as Imanol Alguacil’s replacement.
The pair know each other well from their crossover in the La Real coaching set up pathway and the new man in charge of the hosts has highlighted the impact Alonso has already made.
“It was a pleasure to share a dressing room with him, and we spent three years together at Zubieta, where he was the coach of Sanse and I was the coach of Eibar C. We shared many things, we’ve had a very good relationship,” as per Marca.
“Xabi has changed things. You can see that Real Madrid want the ball more, they’re more combinative, more aggressive in pressing after losing possession.
“They can sink opponents in their own half, maybe not with as many scoring chances, but with the feeling of being dominated. I feel like it’s a Real Madrid with a bit more balance.”
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