OFFICIAL: Xabi Alonso is now the coach of Real Madrid, this is how he presented himself to the media

It's official. Xabi Alonso has returned to Real Madrid, the club where he lived important years as a player, but now he does so in a new stage and with a different mission: to lead the technical direction of the merengue team. The white team announced this Sunday his incorporation as coach until 2028 through an official statement, thus opening a new era after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti.

This Monday, the presentation ceremony took place at the club's Sports City. There he was received by the president Florentino Pérez, signed his contract and participated in all the institutional acts before offering his first press conference as coach of the Chamartín team. Accompanied by Emilio Butragueño, director of Institutional Relations, Xabi Alonso shared his feelings, expectations and reflections with the media.

During more than 30 minutes of intervention, the tolosarra showed his personality, ideals to implement in his stage as technical director of Real Madrid and the emotion he feels for returning to what he considers his home. With concise and close answers, he spoke about everything: from his tactical plans to his relationship with players like Modric, Rodrygo, Vinicius or Mbappé.

First statements of Xabi Alonso as coach of Real Madrid:

"It is a very exciting day, one of those that are remembered; because there will only be once in a lifetime when I can coach Real Madrid. And today is the first day. I feel a great pride, a great responsibility... but also a lot of enthusiasm and energy. I have felt very good to return to what was my home, to feel it again as such and see that there are still many people who were already there, which is comforting. With great desire to start a new stage."

The connection with his players

"First, I don't usually like to describe myself much. But I will say that I need that proximity, that closeness both in the day to day, in training, as in the matches, talks, bench... I need that connection to feel what is happening, how the team is and what each player needs. Is that being close? I don't know. But I know what I have to do. I am the coach and I like to be close to the players."

Demands regarding incorporations

"I think it is our duty to always want to improve. In any facet of the game, as of the planning of the squad. Therefore, recently, since I am the coach of Real Madrid, which was officialized yesterday, I want to have this communication with the club to agree on how we can improve. The context in which we are going to be will demand it. The squad is very good, as I said before and I am already looking forward to starting with them. But well, right now I don't arrive with demands, but with desire to work with the team. And with desire to be able to improve."

The signing of Dean Huijsen

"Since I'm here, yesterday, we've talked about things. And obviously things are agreed upon, talked about. There are things that I have to do and others that I don't. But that will always be the line: how we can improve. From today I am already here, officially working to make decisions and decide things."

The challenge of taking the reins of Real Madrid as coach:

Dizzying to be the replacement of a historic coach for Madrid like Ancelotti?

"No, not at all. That, precisely, what it does is speak very well of the previous stage, of what Carlo has achieved. The demand at Real Madrid is maximum and you have to accept the challenge, but it is a very beautiful one. We can do things that ignite people, that excite Madrid fans and generate that pride that is intrinsic in Real Madrid and its fans. And that's what we come for. Me, my staff, the people who are here... surely we will all have that energy to give the impulse we need."

Why did you decide to take the technical direction of the merengue team prior to the Club World Cup?

"The circumstances have arisen for it to happen like this. And once it does, I see it as an opportunity for two parts. One, to advance processes, to get to know each other... things of how we want to be. And then, for the opportunity to fight for another title. It is the first Club World Cup that will be held and the ambition is maximum. If we manage to unite these two things, it can be a great start and that is, from today, what I have here (he points to his head)."

Does Alonso feel prepared for the challenge of taking the reins of Real Madrid?

"I feel it, I feel that it is the moment, a good one, in which all the parts fit. And that is how they have transmitted it to me. As I also feel it for the people, who are excited, visualize and want to believe. And that gives me a lot of energy. Then you have to demonstrate all this on the field, obviously; it's time to work with the players, but I like that very much. And I want to do it now. I feel that it is a good time."

"This is something that has to work in two directions: that Madrid wants you and then, that you want to. Normally, the second one usually happens (laughs). But as such, I consider myself coach of Real Madrid since yesterday. And that energy, that illusion, I expressed it when it was officialized. And today much more, already being here with all my people, the club's, yours... the next step is to be with the players. With some I have already been, because they were downstairs and with others, I will have to later. But it will be then when I will feel it completely."

The coach who most marked him on a professional level

"Probably, the fact of being in this chair is because of the influence of all of them. They have all helped me a lot. I was lucky to have very good coaches and I tried to have that curiosity and proximity with them. When a moment came to make decisions... even if they were against me, I tried to understand them. To have that empathy with them."

"My father was a coach and, probably, my greatest influence. But then, with everyone, you must have your own personality, your own book... one that is written day by day. Surely here we will start with an idea and we will improve it along the way, which I like. To be dynamic in the things we can improve. Regarding the question... with everyone I have a good relationship and I keep in touch, which is appreciated. And I'm glad for it."

The tweaks that the tolosarra plans to implement for his sports project:

"It is a good question and I like it because football, today, asks you to be flexible, dynamic, to know how to move pieces before and during the match. Of course I have an idea of how we want to play, but that fixed photo of the system can sometimes change towards something more dynamic. But I do want the team to transmit emotion, energy, ambition... and to connect with the people. That symbiosis that we seek will be fundamental for this stage to start well".

"Will we play with four? With three? We'll see. We have good players, people who will interpret the idea well and work hard. And I like that. To be in training with them, in the day to day, to have that proximity and closeness to improve the potential of each one. And then the pieces fit and we make a good team."

"What I like is that we know how to choose the moments. Yes, with an idea of knowing how to do it, of having control and organization to know what to do both when we have the ball, as when we don't. But yes, today you have to know how to handle different contexts: high pressure when necessary and retreat, when it is too. But I do have in mind the idea of an ambitious, proactive game, that seeks to take the initiative. And we have players for it. I am convinced."

The points to improve by Madrid for next season

"As I have done an analysis of how he has played and how the players are. But I use it for my idea, for the project we started. The coaches, in the end, depend on the players and in this squad there are players of a very high competitive level. The challenge, now, is to make a team, to bring out the potential of these players and get everyone to go to one. Because if we do, we will have a very... I'm not going to say unstoppable... but very powerful force."

... On the defensive level

"I said it before. Obviously, I have seen the matches, I have my analysis and I am already thinking about what we can do. In how to be a balanced team: with control... within the individual qualities of the players. We must adopt a collective sense, that we all know how we want to do things, both when pressing, as when taking the ball from behind. It will give us a... a stability that, then, will allow the individual qualities to flourish. And that will be a very important part in the successes."

... In the offensive section

"Football is dynamic. Two can be three, three can be two... or even five, if you put them in the last line. What I want is that we interpret and that the players can play, although sometimes there are injuries or circumstances and it is time to leave the position, where they can be more comfortable. Where they can best demonstrate their qualities: physical, technical, tactical and mental. The good thing is to have good players... then, it's my problem (smiles)."

'The Master' also dedicated some words to his players:

The plan to make Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappé compatible

"The first thing is that it is lucky to have players of that level. And not only Kylian or Vinicius, but so many others. But they, without a doubt, are two players who make a difference and to whom we must get everything. Because if they give the maximum, the team will be more winning and that is what we want. But yes, of course I have ideas... but there is still time until we get together with them. But I am going to use it to work on it and that they feel it. Achieving that communication and connection in what we want and what is the right way is very important. They are players of a very high level and this is the task that I have to do."

The situation of Rodrygo and the rumors about his departure from the club

"I have not yet had a conversation with him, but Rodrygo is a Real Madrid player... and I will talk to all the Real Madrid players. Because they deserve that conversation, because we need it, because we have to know each other. Rodrygo is a spectacular player, I'm not going to discover that. And we will need him."

The retirement of Luka Modrić

"I am not very objective with Luka. We were teammates and when he arrived, we had chemistry. When I left, he became the conductor for years. He has been a great legend. And seeing the other day the farewell he had, so exciting and heartfelt, makes you feel proud of what the club is, as of what Modric has been. Look, I have been with him a while ago and I will be lucky enough to train him in the Club World Cup. I will try to enjoy it, it will be a privilege."

The position of Jude Bellingham on the field

"He can be special anywhere because he is a special player. His irruption is of a player of an era for Real Madrid. He is 21 years old and will be fundamental for the future projects of this club. He is in a good moment to work with him. I see him as a midfielder. We will try to make him as efficient as possible."

Complete press conference of Xabi Alonso in his presentation as coach of Real Madrid: