Xabi Alonso to quit Real Madrid and return to Real Sociedad

Real Madrid will be making changes to their coaching staff roster within their youth academy over the summer with some coaches stepping up a level and others leaving. As Diario AS recently reported, Raúl González will be moving on from his coaching post with the Under-18s - a position he undertook halfway through last season following Álvaro Benito's controversial sacking, and will be Real Madrid Castilla's new coach. AS also understands that Xabi Alonso will not be continuing at La Fábrica. Xabi has decided to accept an offer to return to Real Sociedad to form part of La Real's youth academy although it is not yet known which age group he will be coaching.

Meeting with Aperribay

Earlier this month, Real Sociedad president Jokin Aperribay met up with Xabi to offer him a place among the technical staff at the club's tranining complex in Zubieta. It was an attractive proposal for the former txuri-urdin player, who has been thinking it over. On 10 May, Aperribay acknowledged that contact had been made: “We would be delighted for Xabi Alonso to come back to La Real”.

It seems Xabi has been tempted by the offer to return home to the Basque Country and be involved in the development of youth players with his old club. He returns to San Sebastián after a successful spell at Real Madrid, as his Under-14s side finished as champions in Group I of the Division of Honor - 14 points ahead of their nearest rivals Atlético. His team dropped just two points all season - played 26, won 25, drawn one and lost none with 159 goals for and just 14 against.

Coaching licence

Four days ago, Xabi posted a message on social media which could be interpreted as a goodbye: “I'm proud to have coached these champions. Thanks for everything you have taught me”. At the end of this week, Xabi and Raúl will both receive their UEFA Pro Licence which will allow them to coach in all professional divisions in Spain from the Third to LaLiga.