On Sunday, Real Madrid finally made the announcement that Xabi Alonso will be the new first-team manager, taking over from Carlo Ancelotti.
The 43-year-old legendary midfielder returns to the Santiago Bernabeu after excelling during his stint at Bayer Leverkusen where he won the Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal, and the German Super Cup.
Following the official announcement on Sunday, Alonso arrived at Real Madrid facilities today where he signed his contract with president Florentino Perez and posed for pictures before being presented as the new manager.
Soon after, the club legend sent his first message to the Madridistas having taken over the reins of the team.
“Hello, Real Madrid fans! I’m here. Very happy to begin this new era, full of enthusiasm and energy. I send you all my best. Hala Madrid!”
The presentation ceremony began with the screening of a compilation video of Alonso’s best moments with Real Madrid, followed by clips of his successful stint as Leverkusen manager.
Real Madrid president Florentino Perez then welcomed Alonso with a touching speech, following which the Spanish tactician addressed those present at the presentation ceremony.
“Good morning. Without a doubt, for me, it’s a very special day. A day I’ll mark on my calendar for life. I’m very happy to be here, in what I feel is my home,” he said, via RMTV.
The connection with Real Madrid has never ceased to exist, and since I walked into Valdebebas an hour and a half ago, that feeling has been reborn. I have the feeling that this is the beginning of a new era.
We are starting a period in which I feel that the club and the fans are united.
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 have the conviction that we can achieve important things, worthy of Real Madrid and these European Cups.
We want the fans to be proud, that we transmit emotions, joy. We want people to go to the stadium to enjoy themselves.
If we manage to ignite that, we will have an unstoppable force. We are convinced that we can do beautiful things. Thank you very much, Hala Madrid.”
