What Does Real Madrid's Future Hold With Xabi Alonso?

Why is there a Barcelona feel to Real Madrid's new look with Alonso?

Xabi Alonso, the strongest candidate for the new coach of Real Madrid, will break down the barriers of rivalry between Los Blancos and Barcelona. If officially appointed, he will bring along three of his assistants from Bayer Leverkusen. Two of the assistants have previously been part of the coaching staff for the youth team at Barca.

According to Marca, Alonso, who will start working at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on June 1, 2025, comes with three assistants, namely Sebastian Parrilla, Alberto Encinas, and Ismael Camenforte Lopez. Parrilla is Alonso's right-hand man. They have met since Alonso was still playing at Real Madrid in the period 2009 to 2014.

Alonso began involving Parrilla in a technical position while managing Real Sociedad B from 2019 to 2022. When Alonso was contracted by Leverkusen in October 2022, Parrilla was the person Alonso trusted to replace him on the sidelines while Alonso served a suspension from coaching his team.

Encinas and Lopez are figures with a strong background with Barca. Although they arrived in Madrid with experience assisting Alonso in delivering three trophies for Leverkusen, both began their coaching careers at La Masia, the academy owned by Barca.

The tactical abilities possessed by Parrilla and Encinas greatly assisted Alonso during his time at Leverkusen. Parrilla and Encinas also helped Alonso observe young players from the Leverkusen academy. Meanwhile, Lopez is the head of physical training methodology at Leverkusen. He began his coaching career as the physical coach for the B team of Barca in 2007.

"Alonso is certain to bring his three assistants at Bayer Leverkusen, who have helped him create historic achievements in Germany," wrote Marca in Tuesday's edition (13/5/2025).

How did Alonso's move to Real Madrid work out?

Some time ago, Xabi Alonso held a meeting with Bayer Leverkusen's Chief Executive Officer Fernando Carro and Sports Director Simon Rolfes. During the meeting, Alonso is believed to have expressed his decision to leave the German club.

"This is the right time to announce it because we have always had good communication with the club. I spoke with the players and the staff. It was not easy," said Alonso.

Alonso's achievements with Leverkusen, namely three titles last season, have made Real interested in making him the successor to Carlo Ancelotti. Since last season, rumors of Alonso's transfer to Real have been circulating, but they have yet to materialize. Alonso has chosen to remain with Leverkusen in the hope of repeating the success of last season.

However, Leverkusen's dominance under Alonso came to a halt this season. Leverkusen failed to break Bayern Munich's dominance and had to settle for second place in the league. Alonso was once again powerless against Bayern, with an aggregate score of 0-5 in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. In the DFB Pokal, Leverkusen was also eliminated in the semifinals by Arminia Bielefeld.

Although he failed to replicate last season's impressive achievements, Alonso is still needed by Leverkusen. Moreover, his contract still runs until June 2026. However, Alonso feels that his adventure with Leverkusen has been sufficient.

"We have a great relationship and that is the key. I want to say a proper goodbye," he said, hinting at his increasing proximity to the exit towards Real Madrid.

Will Trent Alexander-Arnold be a plus or a weak point for Real Madrid?

Trent Alexander-Arnold is touted to be one of the new players for Real Madrid next season. He has bid farewell to the supporters and his current club, Liverpool FC.

The 26-year-old defender is seeking a new challenge after playing 352 matches and contributing two Premier League titles and one Champions League trophy for "The Reds." Alexander-Arnold is indeed one of the best right-backs in the world today.

His playing style is considered very compatible with the tactics and approach of Xabi Alonso, the strongest candidate for the new coach of Real Madrid, who favors the 3-5-2 formation. In this system, the primary responsibility of the two wing-backs, such as Alexander-Arnold, is to support the attack.

The defensive duties were assigned to three center-backs. Alexander-Arnold appeared to be well-suited to play a role similar to that of Bayer Leverkusen's wing-back, Jeremie Frimpong.

Therefore, Alexander-Arnold could address Real's shortcomings on the offensive wing this season, as seen when they lost to Arsenal in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals this season. Real could optimize the advantages of the wing-back, namely speed and accurate passing.

Alexander-Arnold is noted as a reliable cross-provider. He is among the top ten players with the most crosses in the English Premier League. In addition, the defender born in Liverpool is also skilled at delivering long passes that can benefit the attacking duo of Real, Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.

However, on the other hand, as a defender, he has always been criticized for his lack of discipline in marking opponents. According to Whoscored, Alexander-Arnold has been dribbled past 55 times in the Premier League this season. This number is the highest among defenders in the five major European leagues.

What is the fate of Real Madrid's current coach, Carlo Ancelotti?

After various approaches over three years, following the Qatar 2022 World Cup, the Brazilian national team has finally secured Carlo Ancelotti as the new coach of the "Selecao." The confirmation of Ancelotti's appointment as the coach of the Brazilian national team was announced by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) on Tuesday (13/5/2025) WIB.

"Bringing Carlo Ancelotti to coach Brazil is more than just a strategic move. It is a statement to the world that we are determined to reclaim the top position," said CBF President Ednaldo Rodrigues.

"He is the greatest coach in history and now he will be with the greatest national team on the planet. Together, we will write a brilliant new chapter in Brazilian football," Rodrigues stated.

Ancelotti will begin coaching on May 25 after the conclusion of La Liga. The coach, who is currently still managing Real Madrid, is expected to soon select the players who will be brought to face Ecuador and Paraguay on June 5 and June 10, 2025, in the qualifying matches for the 2026 World Cup.

Ancelotti's task this time is very challenging as he must revive the Brazilian national team, which is struggling in the 2026 World Cup qualifying round after losing 1-4 to Argentina on March 25.

Ancelotti is not only tasked with qualifying Brazil for the main stage of the 2026 World Cup but also with leading the Selecao to become World Cup champions once again. The World Cup trophy has not been held by Brazil since it was last claimed in the 2002 World Cup.

Zico, a former player of the Brazilian national team, stated that Ancelotti is a coach who will be respected by the players of the Brazilian national team due to his outstanding achievements as both a player and a coach. The Italian passport-holding coach has led his teams to victory in the UEFA Champions League, both as a player and as a coach.