New Chelsea head coach Xabi Alonso has revealed that his leave of Real Madrid was a tough one as it had a significant impact on his career.
In the summer of 2025, the former midfielder was appointed at the Santiago Bernabéu, where he had a great reputation after his outstanding performance for Bayer Leverkusen.
But Alonso’s stay in the Spanish capital was much briefer than anticipated.
Alonso’s Real Madrid spell comes to an early end
Alonso was brought in with the idea that he would be able to inject some new ideas and a new tactical identity into Real Madrid after Carlo Ancelotti’s trophyless campaign.
The Spaniard’s reign was brief, about six months, despite the enthusiasm of the people for his arrival.
Real Madrid eventually decided to part ways with Alonso in January 2026 amid reports of difficulties behind the scenes at the club’s training base.
It was a major blow for a manager whose career had been on the up and up until he arrived in Madrid.
Alonso admits the experience hurt
Alonso has admitted that his departure from Madrid was a tough one for him, but he soon found another chance with Chelsea.
The Spaniard said that it was like a scar in his managerial career but that the wound has now healed.
Alonso did not see the disappointment as his downfall, but as a chance to learn from his own choices and what he could have done better.
Chelsea provide Alonso with fresh start
Despite that, Alonso’s name stayed on the radar for Chelsea, who hired him as their new head coach for the upcoming season of 2026/27.
The transfer is a chance for the 44-year-old to re-establish himself as a Premier League manager.
Alonso will be looking to transfer his experience of running one of Europe’s largest clubs to Stamford Bridge as he takes up his new role.
Spaniard determined to enjoy Chelsea challenge
Alonso is not discouraged by his move to Madrid, however, and says he is coming into the new challenge with a new sense of motivation.
The Chelsea manager seems to be more interested in the future than the past, after his brief stint in Spain’s capital.
Alonso will have a new team, a new place and another chance to demonstrate his managerial abilities, and he is hoping that his time at Chelsea is going to be a much longer and happier one.
You May Also Like
