Xabi Alonso was officially unveiled as Real Madrid's new head coach today. It was announced yesterday that the former Real Madrid player will succeed Carlo Ancelotti in the role, signing a three-year contract.

"Without a doubt, this is a very special day for me. A day that I will mark in my calendar forever. I am very happy to be here, in a place that I can call home. My connection with the Real Madrid fans has never stopped and since I entered the club base an hour and a half ago, that feeling has been rekindled again", Alonso said in his opening words, adding:

"I feel like this is the beginning of a new era. I thank Florentino for the confidence he has shown in me. I think the Real Madrid fans are excited about this new era. I also want to thank my family, who are always by my side. I don't want to forget the period that has passed. Carlo was my coach, a great man. Without his mastery, I probably wouldn't be here. We are starting a period in which the club and the fans are united. We have a great squad, fantastic players with great potential. We want the fans to be proud of us, to come to the stadium with pleasure. If we can do that, we will be an unstoppable force", the Basque told the journalists.

Alonso will take over at Real just in time for the start of the Club World Cup in the United States in June. | ​​BGNES