Former footballer Xabi Alonso speaks to reporters during his presentation as Real Madrid's new coach at the Club's headquarters in Madrid. (AP)

MADRID, May 26 (AP): Xabi Alonso officially took over Real Madrid's coaching job on Monday, vowing to follow in the footsteps of Carlo Ancelotti and saying he has "a good feeling” about the team's future under his command.

Madrid announced the hiring of Alonso on Sunday, a day after the club paid tribute to Ancelotti at the team's final Spanish league match of the season at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. Ancelotti is taking over the Brazil job after four mostly successful seasons in his second stint with the club.

"I'm here to take over from Carlo Ancelotti, who was my coach and is a great person,” Alonso said. "He is a coach who left his mark on me and had a great influence. Without his guidance, I probably wouldn’t be here. I'll pick up his legacy with pride and honor of now being in the position that Carlo was before, and I hope to live up to the expectations and lead this club to achieve all of its objectives.”

Alonso said it felt good returning home to Madrid, where he won six titles as a player from 2009-2014.

"Without a doubt, this is a very special day for me,” Alonso said. ”I'm very happy to be at a place where I feel is my home. I may have been a few years away, but the link with Real Madrid and Madrid fans has always existed."

The ceremony to introduce Alonso began with the showing of a video with some of Alonso's highlights as a player for Madrid, Spain, and other clubs where he played as a midfielder. There were also highlights of his stints as a coach at Madrid's youth squads, Real Sociedad's "B” team, and with Bayer Leverkusen, which he left after this season.

The 43-year-old Alonso, who arrives on a contract until June 2028, watched the video alongside his wife and other invitees.