Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso - God, it feels good to write that - had his first press conference in his new role at the club on Monday morning, and he was as enthusiastic as you would want a new manager to be.
Real Madrid let go of Carlo Ancelotti earlier last week, and announced Alonso's arrival shortly after. It was obvious that it was going to happen at some point - it was just a matter of when. Real Madrid fans are excited, and they have every single right to be.
Alonso was asked about a lot of things in a rather lengthy press conference, which was able to cough up a few laughs here and there as well. But what would excite Real Madrid fans the most is his answer to how he wants his team to play.
Alonso has always been a man about control, and everyone knew Real Madrid will look different when they play under him. the new manager has just given a teaser
Xabi Alonso tells Real Madrid fans exactly what they want to hear
When asked about it, Alonso said: “It’s a good question, and I like it because today’s football demands flexibility and dynamics. It demands that you move your pieces around.
"I have an idea of how we want to play, but the system can change. I want the team to convey emotion and energy, play ambitiously, and connect with the fans.
"The symbiosis we seek is essential for a good start to the season. I like to improve each player’s potential to fit the pieces together.”
This is genuinely so exciting. I love Ancelotti, but if there is one criticism I have for him, it is that Real Madrid never really played like the best team in Europe, even if they were, and even if they won everything.
That is something that might change with Alonso. For me, this is brilliant and exciting. To see a manager have so much ambition and the sheer will to make the team realise its potential seems great to me.
It will take a while to get used to it for Real Madrid players. It is a new system, everything will be new. Real Madrid players will have to dial in - this can't be another Julen Lopetegui situation - but once they do dial in, Real Madrid will show that they are the best team in the world. And they will act like it on the pitch.