Xabi Alonso is immediately inheriting a Real Madrid squad facing big challenges: injured players, fatigue, and uncertainty. Despite these obstacles, he’s expected to deliver at the Club World Cup.
Xabi Alonso will reportedly take over as Real Madrid’s manager for the upcoming Club World Cup. The club and the coach have supposedly agreed to begin the new project immediately. This tournament is vital for Florentino Pérez and his board, given its prestige and the potential €150 million prize. This pushes Real Madrid to place their future in Alonso’s hands, foregoing an interim appointment like Solari. Xabi will start now.
The decision to have Alonso manage the team at the Club World Cup in the United States was allegedly made last week. The club essentially left the coach with no choice. Real Madrid feels it’s senseless to hire a coach only to leave him at home planning for next season while a less experienced Solari takes charge in such a vital tournament.
Immediate Transition Required
The relentless schedule also compels Real Madrid to make this decision, resembling a mid-season change. Ancelotti leaves and Xabi arrives, without any transition. Xabi faces the difficult task of shaping the team while competing. He will also inherit a squad that likely won’t be entirely his. This may lead to issues.
Xabi will immediately encounter several challenges. First, the disappointment of not winning any major titles this season. Second, a squad full of injured key players. Third, a team that’s physically exhausted. Fourth, players aware their future at the club is uncertain. Fifth, limited preparation time, with most players joining their national teams before the World Cup. Thus, Xabi faces a complex task. He aims to implement a new system with a five-man defense. Whether this change begins in June or waits until the 2025/26 season remains to be seen.
Ancelotti to Brazil
Xabi’s situation parallels that of Carlo Ancelotti, who will take charge of the Brazilian national team just a week after leaving Real Madrid. Like Alonso, Ancelotti isn’t joining an easy role. He takes over the world’s most demanding team, Brazil, which always demands victory and dreams of winning their sixth World Cup in 2026.
