Xabi Alonso is not the only one — the key fact about Real Madrid’s group in the Club World Cup
As Xabi Alonso gears up for his highly anticipated debut as Real Madrid’s head coach, an intriguing pattern has emerged within the club’s group at the FIFA Club World Cup — three out of four teams have recently appointed new managers.
Real Madrid’s opening match will be played on Wednesday at 21:00 (CET) against Al-Hilal, a Saudi powerhouse that also made a coaching change ahead of the tournament. The only exception in the group is Red Bull Salzburg, still led by Thomas Letsch, who took over in early 2024 and remains at the helm.
⚽ A Wave of Coaching Changes
- Real Madrid – Xabi Alonso was appointed just weeks before the tournament and is preparing to shape a new project.
- Al-Hilal – Appointed Simone Inzaghi, fresh off his spell at Inter Milan, where he ended his time with a Champions League final appearance.
- Pachuca – Brought in Jaime “Jimmy” Lozano, former manager of the Mexican national team, aiming to make an impact in this unique tournament setting.
This trend of coaching changes highlights just how seriously clubs are taking the Club World Cup — not just for the silverware, but also for the significant financial reward and global exposure the tournament offers.
🚧 A Project Under Construction
Despite being the favorites, Real Madrid are approaching this competition with caution. Inside Valdebebas, there’s a firm belief that nothing should be taken for granted — especially given that the team is under new leadership, with Alonso only two weeks into his role and until recently missing several key players due to injuries and international duty.
While the group may appear “manageable” on paper, the club knows full well that transitions take time. With limited training sessions and high expectations, the emphasis is on patience, balance, and humility.
