For a long time, many people believed that Xabi Alonso would leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season. Everything seems to be set in place for Alonso to reach a new height.
Jurgen Klopp was exhausted and decided to leave Liverpool after this season. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich also confirmed the departure of Thomas Tuchel. Two of the clubs Alonso has played for need new managers. In addition, the "big guys" such as Barcelona, Manchester United, Chelsea and Juventus are also sessionaries on the coaching bench.
However, after all, Alonso dispelled all speculation by announcing his stay at BayArena. The Spaniard had been thinking about his future long enough to make this decision.
Whether accidentally or intentionally, Real Madrid seems to have designed this perfectly. Carlo Ancelotti will also leave the Bernabeu in the near future.
In December last year, Ancelotti signed a new deal to stay at Real until 2026. Specific details of the deal have not been disclosed, but according to many sources, there is no obligation for Ancelotti to stay at the Bernabeu until the end of the 2025-2026 season. Therefore, Ancelotti can leave at any time, as long as Alonso is ready.
Los Blancos are still having a good season under the leadership of Ancelotti. However, their squad is somewhat unbalanced. The La Liga top team has 7 classy midfielders but does not have a pure right winger. And they have yet to find a worthy replacement for Karim Benzema in attack.
The Italian has dealt with the problem by using Jude Bellingham as a fake 'No. 9' with the help of Vinicius and Rodrygo. Up to now, that combination is still effective.
But there is a sense that after this season, Ancelotti's cycle will end. Key players such as Toni Kroos and Luka Modric are both on the other side of their careers. And if the deal for Kylian Mbappe to move to the Bernabeu goes smoothly, Real also need a younger wind to lead the new sports project.
Leading Real is always a complex job and requires many factors. In fact, there are many famous strategists who have been sent off to Bernaneu. Ancelotti is, in many ways, the perfect person for this role. He handles the media well, maintains the expectations of fans and his achievements are always guaranteed.
Alonso is another type of coach. This strategist has a sharp tactical mindset and always directs enthusiasm on the touchline. He spent 18 months at the Madrid academy before leading the B team of Real Sociedad. Alonso has repeatedly affirmed his love for Real Madrid and understands the meaning of becoming a Madridista. If there has ever been a young coach ready for this job, Alonso is that person.
Things may be different for Alonso at the end of next season. Even if he stays, some of Leverkusen's key players such as Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong and Victor Boniface will all be left behind. Meanwhile, Bayern will also gradually stabilize if they find a suitable "captain" for next season. In short, repeating the success he has now is extremely difficult for Alonso.
But if Leverkusen continue to impress and Alonso's football brand reaches new heights, the departure of this strategist is inevitable. The opportunity to work at Real with a star squad like the one he has right now is really hard to refuse.
