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New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso has set a clear tone from the outset. In his first training sessions back at the Valdebebas complex, the former midfield maestro wasted no time in asserting his approach. Players found themselves pushed with sharp positional adjustments, rapid-fire passes, and a heightened pace—signalling an immediate shift from recent passive regimes.

The atmosphere in these early sessions wasn’t just energetic — it was a warning. The spotlight is now firmly on those accustomed to relaxed structures. With the Club World Cup fast approaching and a campaign to reclaim European supremacy looming, Alonso’s message is simple: adapt quickly or risk being overshadowed.

"Everything has to be accelerated because we have little time to get to know each other and train. We’ll start building a team because we have three training sessions before the first game. We’re coming with a lot of enthusiasm and the hope of having a good tournament to make it to the end," said Xabi Alonso, in a conversation with Real Madrid TV.

"They've been very positive; little by little, you’re getting to know them and having that much-needed contact, and little by little, more players are arriving," said the new Real Madrid manager.

A Dawn Of New Era

Alonso’s re-entry into Madrid marks more than a managerial change — it’s a transformational moment. He arrives with a mission to reinvigorate what he describes as true “Madridismo”.

"We’re starting a new era and we have to prioritize what’s important: what we want to be, how we want to play, and how we feel about it. We want to be able to do that from the very beginning, from the match against Al Hilal. First, we have to recognize ourselves," added Alonso.