Real Madrid have officially appointed Xabi Alonso as the club's new head coach for three years. The news comes exactly 20 years after one of the greatest Champions League finals between AC Milan and Liverpool, when Alonso scored in a 3-3 draw in Istanbul. The Merseysiders subsequently celebrated with the trophy.

The Spaniard, a former Real player, replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who will take over the Brazil national team from Monday, after saying goodbye to Real yesterday in the 2:0 victory over Sociedad in the final round of La Liga.

The 43-year-old Alonso announced that he was leaving Bayer Leverkusen earlier this month after a successful two-and-a-half years at the helm of the Aspirins. He won the league and cup double last season, narrowly missing out on a remarkable treble, without a defeat, after losing 0:3 to Atalanta in the Europa League final.

Alonso will be officially presented by Real Madrid at a press conference tomorrow afternoon. He will begin his duties as manager in time for the start of the Club World Cup in the United States.

"Xabi Alonso is one of the greatest legends of Real Madrid and world football. He wore our jersey in 236 official matches between 2009 and 2014. During this period, he won six titles: the 10th Champions League in Lisbon, one UEFA Super Cup, one La Liga title, two Copa del Rey trophies and one Spanish Super Cup. Xabi Alonso is also a legend of the Spanish national team, with which he became world champion in 2010 and European champion in 2008 and 2012 in 113 international matches", Real said in a statement. | BGNES