When Xabi Alonso spurned his former club Liverpool last summer to remain at Bayer Leverkusen, it seemed he might have passed up an opportunity that was too good to ignore. However, even as Arne Slot has led Liverpool to the Premier League title,

Xabi Alonso is returning to Real Madrid to take over a club that failed to meet expectations this season. The Spanish powerhouse announced the hiring of Alonso on Sunday to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who is leaving to take over the Brazil job. Alonso will take over on June 1 and will be given a contract through June 2028, the club said.

Alonso, who signed a three-year deal, will start immediately and coach his first games at the Club World Cup in June