MADRID, May 26 (Xinhua) -- Xabi Alonso promised to continue the successful legacy of Carlo Ancelotti when he was officially presented as the new Real Madrid coach on Monday.
Alonso has signed a three-year contract with the club and will start work on June 1st, with his new club kicking off in the World Club Cup on June 18th.
"Carlo was my coach, a great person and a huge influence. Without his mastery, I probably wouldn't be here. I take over and carry on his legacy with great honor and pride," said Alonso of his predecessor who won three Champions League titles and two La Liga titles during his two separate spells in charge and has now gone to coach the Brazil national team.
However, the 43-former Bayer Leverkusen coach, who ended his playing career at Madrid 11 years ago, insisted he would be his own man, saying his presentation was "the start of an era."
"It's a special day. It's a day I will have marked in my calendar for life. I am very happy to be here, in what I feel is my home."
"We have fantastic players, we have a team that has a lot of potential, a very good present and a very good future. That gives me a lot of reason to come here with a lot of energy and a lot of hope that I can get the best out of all the players and build a great team," said Alonso.
The coach said he had been in discussions over the decision to sign central defender Dean Huijsen from Bournemouth and to now renew the contract of veteran midfielder, Luka Modric and also seemed to shut the door on a summer departure for striker Rodrygo.
"I am convinced we can achieve big things, worthy of Real Madrid, worthy of all these European Cups, of all these accomplishments made over so many years."
"I want a team that transmits emotion, energy, ambitious play and connects with the fans," Alonso commented. ■
