Xabi Alonso
Xabier Alonso Olano, Xabier Alonso
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Who is this?
Xabier Alonso Olano (Basque: [ˈʃaβi aˈlons̺o oˈlano], Spanish: [ˈʃaβj aˈlonso oˈlano]; born 25 November 1981) is a Spanish professional football manager and former player who was most recently the head coach of La Liga club Real Madrid. Widely regarded as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation, he was known for his exceptional passing range and long-distance shooting. Alonso is also currently considered to be one of the best young managers in the world. Alonso began his career at Real Sociedad, the main team of his home province Gipuzkoa. After a brief loan period at Eibar, he was appointed as team captain of Real Sociedad and finished as runners-up in La Liga in the 2002–03 season. He moved to Liverpool in 2004 for £10.5 million and won the UEFA Champions League in his first season, scoring in the final. He later won the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield. Alonso moved to Real Madrid in 2009 in a deal worth £30 million and won La Liga, two Copa del Rey titles, and another UEFA Champions League. He joined German club Bayern Munich in 2014 and won three Bundesliga titles, including a domestic double in his second season, and retired in 2017. He made his international debut for Spain in April 2003 and went on to win the European Championship twice in 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2010 World Cup. He also represented Spain at Euro 2004 and the 2006 World Cup. On 23 June 2012, Alonso won his 100th cap for Spain in the quarter-final of Euro 2012 against France, where he scored both goals in a 2–0 victory. Alonso retired from international football after the 2014 World Cup. His 114 appearances make him the eighth-most capped player in Spain's history. Alonso coached Real Madrid's U14 team before being appointed as manager of Real Sociedad B in 2019, where he won promotion to the Segunda División in his second season. Alonso was named head coach of Bayer Leverkusen in 2022 and completed an unprecedented unbeaten domestic double in 2024, winning the club's first ever Bundesliga title and first DFB-Pokal since 1993. After two-and-a-half years with the German side, Alonso was appointed as the new head coach of his former club Real Madrid in June 2025, but he left the club seven months later by mutual consent.
Career
- 1981Birth
What happened recently
Xabi Alonso told to secure England star on free transfer as Chelsea legend labels 'perfect' addition
Alejandro Garnacho's behaviour at Chelsea, ripped apart by team-mates, Xabi Alonso decision
Xabi Alonso pinpoints Cole Palmer’s special ability as new Chelsea boss reveals he wants to KEEP wantaway World Cup star
Chelsea pre-season friendlies: Dates and kick-off times as Xabi Alonso kicks off Stamford Bridge tenure
Xabi Alonso: Reece James to remain Chelsea captain while new boss wants Enzo Fernandez to stay at club
Chelsea legend tells Xabi Alonso to sign £50million England star after World Cup
Xabi Alonso reveals stance on Enzo Fernandez sale as Chelsea star continues to be linked with Real Madrid transfer
Xabi Alonso confirms Chelsea captain decision amid ongoing Reece James injury problems
Xabi Alonso’s first Chelsea press call: On Enzo Fernandez, Cole Palmer and a ‘great season’ ahead
Xabi Alonso moves fast at Chelsea, holding private talks with Enzo Fernandez
Xabi Alonso confirms interest in Alejandro Garnacho as Chelsea prepare to sell winger a year after move from Man Utd
Marco Palestra underlines Xabi Alonso’s influence in exclusive CFC+ interview | News
Pep Chavarria to Chelsea transfer: Rayo Vallecano left-back is a late bloomer but could his mentality help Xabi Alonso?
Chelsea ‘agree personal terms’ with shock target after No 1 choice rejects Alonso
Xabi Alonso has five Chelsea signings to complete with Granit Xhaka transfer conundrum
Chelsea transfers, Cole Palmer and Enzo Fernandez: The big problems Xabi Alonso must solve at Stamford Bridge
Xabi Alonso starts Chelsea spending with £43m signing of defender Marco Palestra
Chelsea COMPLETE first transfer under Xabi Alonso as Marco Palestra joins in £43m deal
Xhaka signs, Lacroix deal, £230m triple transfer - Xabi Alonso's dream first month at Chelsea
Chelsea secure first signing of Xabi Alonso era as £47m deal gets over the line
Chelsea launch offer to sign La Liga star after Xabi Alonso approves transfer
Chelsea open talks for Pep Chavarria as Xabi Alonso targets second summer signing
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