Leverkusen’s 35-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga ended in August 2024 with a 3-2 loss at home to Leipzig, against whom Alonso’s team uncharacteristically squandered a two-goal lead.

“You didn’t just train us — you inspired us,” Leverkusen captain Granit Xhaka wrote on Instagram after Alonso confirmed his departure. “We’ll carry your lessons far beyond the field.”

As a player for Spain and Madrid, Alonso displayed an understanding of the game and technical skills that created time and space for himself, and opportunities for others. Real Sociedad and Liverpool previously benefited from his intelligence in midfield. He helped the latter to the Champions League title in 2005.

Alonso starred as a Madrid player, winning six titles, including the Spanish league in 2012 and the 2014 Champions League before leaving for three Bundesliga titles with Bayern Munich.

There was always a feeling in Madrid he would return. The club takes pride in bringing former greats back for coaching or management roles, like Zinedine Zidane or Jorge Valdano, and Alonso seemed predestined for coaching after a playing career spent managing teammates.

Alonso began his coaching career with Madrid’s youth teams before returning to Real Sociedad, another former club, to take over its reserve team. He led it to promotion.

He exceeded expectations after Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes and chief executive Fernando Carro gave him his first job in senior management in October 2022.

Now he will face different demands at Madrid, where he will be tasked with responding to a buoyant Barcelona team spearheaded by the outstanding Lamine Yamal and Brazil forward Raphinha supported by a cast of home-grown young stars such as Pedri and Gavi.

He will have to put the team’s top stars – Kylian Mbappé, Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Júnior – back on track after they failed to help the team succeed toward the end of the season.

Despite his success in leading Madrid to three Champions League titles, Ancelotti was considered a coach who largely let the players have their way, giving their individual brilliance full reign.

Alonso is likely to be more structured with a clear idea of how he wants each player to fit into his team. One priority will be strengthening the defense after serious injuries there last season undermined Ancelotti’s hopes of defending the Spanish league and Champions League titles.

Madrid has already addressed that with the signing of Spain defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth. More arrivals are likely.

Whichever players come or go, Alonso will face the same demands — to get Madrid back on top in Spain and challenging for a record-extending 16th European crown.

It’s just his second job in senior management.