Madrid, May 26 -- Xabi Alonso declared the start of a new era during his official unveiling as the new manager of Real Madrid.
Alonso, 43, was appointed manager of his former club on a three-year deal on Sunday, replacing Carlo Ancelotti - who will take charge of the Brazil men's national team.
Madrid endured a disappointing campaign - surrendering their La Liga title to Barcelona, losing to their arch-rivals in the finals of the Copa del Rey and Spanish Supercopa, and crashing out of the Champions League to Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
But during a speech at Madrid's Valdebebas training ground on Monday, Alonso said: "It's the start of an era."
He added: "The Real Madrid fans are excited to begin this new era, to grow, and to make th...