Alonso talks Ancelotti, Vinicius, Mbappe, Bellingham, Modric, Rodrygo, tactics, signings at Real Madrid presentation | OneFootball

Real Madrid welcomed Xabi Alonso as their new manager, presenting him officially in front of club members and the media.

The former midfielder and club legend steps in to replace Carlo Ancelotti, who bid goodbye this past weekend after the final La Liga game of the season against Real Sociedad.

Alonso will now take charge of the team heading into the FIFA Club World Cup next month and hope to kickstart his career at the Santiago Bernabeu by leading the team to silverware.

Following his presentation ceremony, during which he touched upon how special it was for him to return to Real Madrid, Alonso spoke to the media in a press conference, addressing various things including the team’s summer transfer plans.

On joining Real Madrid

Kicking things off, Alonso spoke about how special the day has been for him, saying: “It’s a very exciting day, one to remember. I think there is only once in a lifetime when you can coach Real Madrid and today is the first day.

“I feel pride, responsibility and energy. I’m looking forward to starting a new stage.”

On whether there are any nerves having to replace Carlo Ancelotti as the Real Madrid manager, he added:

“No, not at all. Obviously, the demands at Madrid are at their highest and you have to accept the challenge.

“But it’s a very nice challenge and we can do things that will excite Madridistas, that will get people excited. That’s what we’re here for. I’m sure we have the energy we need.”

Talking about when he made the decision to join Real Madrid, Alonso said: “This has to work both ways: that Madrid want you and that you want them to want you. Since yesterday I’ve considered myself a Real Madrid coach.

“I felt that energy, that excitement when it was made official. Today, much more. The next step is to be with the players. I’ve already been with some of them, with others I’ll have to be with. But I already feel it.”

Talking about him deciding to arrive at the club before the FIFA Club World Cup, Alonso explained:

“The circumstances have been given. I see it as an opportunity for two reasons. On the one hand, to get ahead of the process. On the other, to fight for another title. It’s the first Club World Cup, the ambition is there.”

On being asked how one knows if they are ready for a club like Real Madrid, Alonso replied:

“I feel it, I feel it’s the moment when all the parts fit together. But above all for the people. People are excited, they visualize and want to believe. And that gives a lot of energy. Then you have to work on it, but it’s a good moment.”

On transfer plans and squad

Things quickly moved to the transfer plans as Alonso was asked if he had requested the signing of a new midfielder this summer. In response, he said:

“Our duty is to always want to improve. Therefore, since I’ve been coach of Madrid, I want to have this communication and vision with the club to reach a consensus on how we want to improve.

“The squad is very good and I want to start working with them. I’m looking forward to working as a team and being able to improve.”

Alonso ready for the challenge. (Photo courtesy: Real Madrid official website)

On being asked what he thinks Real Madrid need to improve moving forward, Alonso stated:

“I’ve made an analysis of how the team has played, how the players are and I use it to help me with my own ideas. As coaches we depend on the players and I think the players are of a high level.

“The challenge is to make a team, to get the potential out of these players and that we all go as one. If we all go as one, we will have a very powerful force.”

Regarding the departure of club legend and his former teammate Luka Modric, Alonso stated:

“With Luka I’m not very objective because we were team-mates and when he arrived we had a chemistry. He became the orchestra conductor, he has been a legend.

“Seeing the farewell the other day makes you proud. I was with him a little while ago. I’m lucky enough to have a chance to coach him at the Club World Cup, it’s going to be a privilege.”

When asked about his plans to get the best out of Vinicius Jr. and Kylian Mbappe, Alonso elaborated:

“It’s lucky that we have players of that level. Not just Kylian or Vinicius, but so many others. They are differential, they make the differences and we have to get everything they have out of them. I have ideas.

“There is still time until we meet with them. But for me it’s very important to communicate what we want. They are high-level players and that’s my task.”

On whether he had inputs into the transfer decisions so far such as the arrival of Dean Huijsen and Modric’s exit, Alonso replied:

“Things have been agreed and discussed. There are things that touch me and things that don’t, but that’s going to be the line. I am already officially working to make decisions and decide things.”

There has been a lot of speculation about the future of Rodrygo, with the forward said to be leaning towards an exit. When asked if he had spoken to the Brazilian, Alonso stated:

“Rodrygo is a Real Madrid player and I will talk to everyone who is a Real Madrid player. They deserve it and we need it. Rodrygo is a spectacular player, we will need him.”

On where he visualises Jude Bellingham in terms of his position in the team, Alonso stated:

“He can be special anywhere because he is a special player. His emergence is a player of the era for Real Madrid. He is 21 years old and he is going to be fundamental for the future projects of this club.

“He is in a good moment to work with him. I see him as a midfielder. We will try to make him as efficient as possible.”

On tactics and style of play

There has been speculation about how Alonso will deploy a three-man defensive line at Real Madrid once he takes over. So, when asked about how his team will play and the tactical plans he has for Los Blancos, he replied:

“That’s a good question and I like it because today’s football asks you to be flexible and dynamic. It asks you to know how to move the pieces around. I have an idea of how we want to play, but the fixed picture of the system can change.

“I want the team to transmit emotion, energy, to play ambitiously and to connect with the people. The symbiosis we are looking for is fundamental for the stage to start well. I like to improve everyone’s potential to fit the pieces together.”

Alonso with his Real Madrid staff members. (Photo Courtesy: Real Madrid official website)

When asked for his thoughts on employing a high-pressing system, Alonso remarked: “What I like is that we know how to choose the moments. With an idea of knowing how to do it, of always having control and knowing what to do.

“But we have to know how to handle different contexts, look for high pressure and retreat when necessary. But the idea of an ambitious and active game, that knows how to take the initiative? We have the players to do that.”

Talking about coaches that have influenced his philosophy, Alonso said: “I have said it before. Probably, the fact that I am here is thanks to all of them. I was lucky to have very good coaches, I tried to be close to them and tried to understand them.

“My father, who was a coach, was probably the biggest influence. With all coaches you have to have your professionalism, your little book. I have a good relationship with all of them.”

Real Madrid’s vulnerable defence was a major cause of concern this season and Alonso was asked about his plan to fix that going forward.

“I’ve watched the games and analysed them. Now, I’m thinking about how to make a balanced team. We all know how we want to do things. That will give us a stability that will make individual qualities flourish,” replied the new manager.

Regarding his plans for the team’s attacking play, he added: “Football is dynamic. I want us to interpret and I want the players to be able to play where they are most comfortable, where they can show their physical, tactical and mental qualities….

“The good thing is to have good players. Then it’s my problem (laughs).”

Discussing his approach to handling players, Alonso said: “I don’t like to describe myself too much, but I need the proximity and closeness with the players.

“I need that connection to feel how the team is and what each player needs. I know what I have to do, I know I’m the coach. I like to be close to them.”

Source: AS