Florentino Perez Did Not Want Xabi Alonso to Manage Real Madrid at FIFA Club World Cup 4u5uq

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez did not want Xabi Alonso to manage the club at the FIFA Club World Cup. 

Perez wanted former manager Santiago Solari to oversee the tournament before giving the reins to Alonso.

Real Madrid, who finished the 2024/25 season without a major trophy, begin their Club World Cup campaign with a clash against Al Hilal on June 18.

Florentino Perez Did Not Want Xabi Alonso as Real Madrid Manager at the FIFA Club World Cup 2p3r3i

The 2024/25 season was a tough one to swallow for Real Madrid. Despite having arguably the strongest squad in the world, Los Blancos fell flat in all three major competitions. They lost the LaLiga and Copa del Rey to Barcelona and exited the UEFA Champions League after a 5-1 aggregate defeat against Arsenal. Real Madrid also lost the Supercopa de Espana final to the Blaugrana.

In the final leg of the season, Ancelotti’s departure had become evident. And Xabi Alonso, who had done wonders at Bayer Leverkusen, was always going to be his natural successor. However, as per El Confidencial, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez wanted to appoint Alonso after the FIFA Club World Cup.

👔 @XabiAlonso pic.twitter.com/ho4hpdEWZA

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 11, 2025

Perez reportedly thought that thrusting Alonso straight into the Club World Cup was unwise. He was afraid that a poor Club World Cup campaign would put the Spanish tactician under unnecessary pressure. Perez wanted to appoint Santiago Solari specifically for the tournament, although he was never going to get the permanent job.

Santiago Solari Rejected Florentino Perez’s Offer 53c7

Florentino Perez reportedly brought the proposal to former Real Madrid manager Santiago Solari but got a swift refusal. Not only did Solari turn the job down, but he also refused to take charge of the women’s team, Real Madrid Femenino. As per El Confidencial, Solari’s refusal infuriated Perez, who then quickly appointed Xabi Alonso as permanent manager.

Had Solari accepted, it would have been his second spell as Los Merengues’ manager. He operated as the club’s manager after Julen Lopetegui was sacked in 2018/19. Between October 2018 and March 2019, he oversaw 32 games, taking the club to 22 wins, 2 draws, and 8 defeats.

Xabi Alonso Announces Real Madrid’s FIFA Club World Cup Squad 401g8

Real Madrid have reinforced their squad ahead of the Club World Cup. They have added Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) in defence. Los Blancos also wanted to sign priority target Alvaro Carreras to their ranks before the tournament, but Benfica blocked the move. He is likely to complete the transfer when the window reopens on June 16.

🎙️ @DHuijsen: "Impresiona mucho ver las 15 Copas de Europa, son la historia de este club".
🎥 Entrevista completa 👉 RM Play

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) June 11, 2025

Finally, Franco Mastantuono, whom Xabi Alonso called to persuade to Real Madrid, will also the club imminently. But since he has yet to become a Real Madrid player, he will not be at the Club World Cup.

Alonso’s 34-Man Real Madrid Squad in Full 2a512r

Goalkeepers (4) 735um

• Thibaut Courtois

• Andriy Lunin

• Fran González

• Sergio Mestre

Defenders (13) 654713

• Dani Carvajal

• Eder Militao

• David Alaba

• Trent Alexander‑Arnold

• Lucas Vázquez

• Fran García

• Antonio Rüdiger

• Ferland Mendy

• Dean Huijsen

• Youssef (Lekhedim)

• Jacobo Ramon

• Raul Asencio 

• Diego Aguado

Midfielders (10) b1r6v

• Jude Bellingham

• Eduardo Camavinga

• Federico Valverde

• Luka Modric

• Aurelien Tchouaméni

• Arda Güler

• Dani Ceballos

• Brahim Diaz

• Víctor Munoz

• Chema Andres

Forwards (7) 4a4gm

• Vinicius Junior

• Kylian Mbappe

• Rodrygo

• Endrick

• Gonzalo Garcia

• Daniel Yanez

• Pol Fortuny

Trent Alexander-Arnold will wear No. 12 on his back at the Club World Cup. He takes the number over from Los Blancos’ legendary left-back Marcelo.