Real Madrid have appointed their former midfielder Xabi Alonso as manager on a three-year deal. Alonso, who made 236 appearances for Real Madrid as a player, announced earlier this month that he would leave his role as Bayer Leverkusen boss at the end of the season. Former Liverpool and Spain midfielder Alonso, who has signed a deal running until 30 June 2028, succeeds Carlo Ancelotti.
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Francesco Farioli has stepped down as Ajax head coach after only a year in charge of the Amsterdam club. Farioli was visibly emotional following his sides 2-0 win over Twente on Sunday which was not enough to win clinch Eredivisie title for the Amsterdam side. Ajax had a nine point lead at one point but their form in April and May saw the title slip from their hands. The 36 year old Italian had signed a three year deal last summer but has cited differences with the club as the reason for this premature departure.
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Carlo Ancelotti has been confirmed as the new manager of Brazil’s men’s national team, the first foreign national to take sole charge of the world’s most successful side since 1925. After months of speculation, it has been confirmed that the 65-year-old Italian is to leave Real Madrid at the end of the Spanish domestic season to take up what will be his first international coaching role. The Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) revealed the news in a statement on Monday, welcoming Ancelotti, a man they described as a “legend” of the game.
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Juventus have sacked manager Thiago Motta after just nine months in charge and replaced him Croatian Igor Tudor. Former Italy international Motta, 42, departs with the 36-time Serie A champions one point outside the Champions League qualification places in fifth. His final match in charge was a 3-0 defeat at Fiorentina last weekend, having been thrashed 4-0 at home by Atalanta the previous week.
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Munster have turned to New Zealand in their search for their next permanent head coach with Chiefs boss Clayton McMillan taking the reins as Graham Rowntree’s successor next season on a three-year contract. Current attack coach Mike Prendergast will step up to the role of senior coach under a new team management structure while interim head coach Ian Costello will become general manager.
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