Xabi Alonso, 43, will depart Bayer Leverkusen at the end of this season, with reports indicating that he will succeed Carlo Ancelotti as the head coach of Real Madrid. Alonso’s potential move to Madrid comes after a successful season in which he led Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title and the German Cup in his first full year as a senior club manager.
Alonso’s Farewell to Leverkusen
Alonso announced his decision to leave Leverkusen on Friday, confirming that his last two games will be as the club’s head coach. “This week, the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” Alonso stated. “It’s a moment of mixed emotions, but it’s the right time to say goodbye.”
A Successful Season with Leverkusen
Leverkusen had a standout season under Alonso’s leadership, claiming the Bundesliga title without a single loss, before ultimately finishing second to Bayern Munich. The team will face Borussia Dortmund on Sunday and conclude their season against Mainz on May 17.
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From Player to Manager
Previously, Alonso played for Real Madrid between 2009 and 2014, after a successful stint at Liverpool. He later joined Bayern Munich, where he ended his playing career in 2017. His transition to management has seen rapid success, with Leverkusen quickly becoming a top contender in German football.
Future at Real Madrid
Despite links to top clubs like Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern, Alonso had previously expressed his commitment to Leverkusen in March 2024. Leverkusen’s CEO Fernando Carro assured that Alonso was happy at the club and had been planning for the next season. However, the allure of managing Real Madrid proved too strong, and Alonso is now poised to take on this new challenge.
