Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has shared his thoughts on the club appointing Xabi Alonso as head coach, replacing Carlo Ancelotti. Kroos worked with Ancelotti during both his stints at the Bernabeu before retiring from professional football in the summer of 2024.
Carlo Ancelotti is widely considered among the greatest coaches in the history of Real Madrid. During his first stint with Los Blancos (2013-15), he led the club to their historic La Decima (10th Champions League title). The Italian tactician returned for his second stint in 2021, when he led the side to another two Champions League titles, among multiple other honors. Toni Kroos has played 200 games under Ancelotti’s guidance across both stints.
In a conversation with Sky Sports News, Toni Kroos commented on Real Madrid appointing Xabi Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement at the club. He said (via Madrid Xtra):
As a former Los Blancos player, Xabi Alonso made 236 appearances across competitions between 2009 and 2014. He led Bayer Leverkusen between 2022 and 2025 as head coach, before replacing Ancelotti at Real Madrid this season. Alonso won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal with Bayer Leverkusen in the 2023-24 season, whilst remaining unbeaten in the league. He also reached the Europa League finals with the Bundesliga giants in the same season.
On May 25, Carlo Ancelotti took charge of his final match at the Bernabeu, with Los Blancos winning 2-0 over Real Sociedad in LaLiga. Following the game, the Italian tactician bid goodbye to the players, staff, and fans of the club. During his farewell speech, Ancelotti said (via Managing Madrid):
He continued:
Carlo Ancelotti will next lead the Brazil national team. The Selecao will look to win the 2026 World Cup under the Italian guidance. As the Brazil head coach, Ancelotti will be reunited with many of his former Los Merengues players, including Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo.
Pratyasha is an ardent admirer of Lionel Messi and has followed his journey since she was a kid; he inspires her with his dedication and humility. She has grown up watching, living, and breathing Satyajit Ray’s cinema, which she believes is timeless. She loves Taylor Swift’s music and thinks she’s a lyrical genius, and also admires Shah Rukh Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, and Deepika Padukone.
When Pratyasha’s off the clock, she enjoys reading books and listening to music. During the football season, she is usually busy watching football matches late at night when Barcelona are playing.
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