Xabi Alonso has officially taken over Real Madrid’s coaching job and vowed to follow in the footsteps of Carlo Ancelotti.

Less than three years into his career as a top-level coach, Alonso is returning to Real Madrid, the most pressurized job in football. He's earned it.

The Spaniard's return to Madrid has been on the cards for a long time - this is the story of how his appointment as head coach developed