Xabi Alonso announces Bayer Leverkusen exit ahead of Real Madrid move

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 9 May 2025 16:52 BST
• 4 min read

News

Xabi Alonso has announced that he will stand down as Bayer Leverkusen head coach at the end of the season, paving the way for the Spaniard to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

Alonso has long been linked with the Santiago Bernabeu outfit and his dream return to the Spanish capital, where he was a key player from 2009 until 2014, is set to come true imminently.

The 43-year-old has announced his intent to leave B04, where he has enjoyed phenomenal success since in his near-three-year stint.

"The club and I have agreed that these two last games will be my final ones as Bayer Leverkusen coach," he said in a press conference on Friday.

"I owe a huge debt of gratitude to Bayer 04 Leverkusen.

"Bayer 04 is ready for the future. This positive trajectory will continue, and I will follow it with interest."

Bild reports that he gave an emotional speech to his players in the locker room but stopped short of confirming his switch to Real Madrid.

"My next club? This isn't the time to talk about the future because we want to have a nice farewell on Sunday," he said.

Leverkusen have placed Cesc Fabregas at the head of their shortlist to replace Alonso. The former Barcelona player is currently in charge at Serie A side Como.

Alonso leaves a remarkable legacy in Leverkusen

The highlight of Alonso’s tenure was undoubtedly the 2023/24 campaign, during which Leverkusen swept to the Bundesliga and DFB Pokal titles without losing a single game. Indeed, they would have experienced an entirely undefeated campaign had they not lost to Atalanta in the Europa League final.

In total, he has overseen 138 matches at the helm of the Bundesliga side, recording a win rate of 64.5%.

Now Real Madrid hope to tap into these skills as Alonso tries to revive the fortunes of a side that is set to go through a rare campaign without a trophy.

Los Blancos have yet to make an official announcement regarding Ancelotti's future, but it is believed this will come following the Clasico against Barcelona on Sunday.

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