Alonso, who signed a three-year deal, will start immediately and coach his first games at the Club World Cup in June

Xabi Alonso is returning to Real Madrid to take over a club that failed to meet expectations this season. The Spanish powerhouse announced the hiring of Alonso on Sunday to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who is leaving to take over the Brazil job. Alonso will take over on June 1 and will be given a contract through June 2028, the club said.

Real Madrid have appointed their former midfielder Xabi Alonso as manager on a three-year deal. Alonso, who made 236 appearances for Real Madrid as a player, announced earlier this month that he would leave his role as Bayer Leverkusen boss at the end of the season.