Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season. And the Spaniard is expected to join Real Madrid.
At a press conference on Friday, Alonso said he would leave after the remaining two Bundesliga games. Alonso has been with Leverkusen for 3 years, leading the team to a historic unbeaten campaign in the 2023-2024 season.
The 43-year-old strategist refused to discuss his future, saying "it's not the time". However, a source from Real Madrid told ESPN on Friday that Alonso was about to become the club's new coach. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is expected to leave after Real Madrid's final La Liga match against Real Sociedad.
"This week, the club and I have agreed that these two matches will be my last matches as the coach of Bayer Leverkusen. It's always about the time, and now is the right time to announce it. We always have good, direct communication with the club, and now we have clarity.
We want to have a true farewell on Sunday, at home against Dortmund. It was touching, I spoke to the players this morning. It's been 3 years incredible, wonderful, and now it's a moment to share with fans on Sunday. I think we can be proud of what we have achieved. We have put the club on the right track," said Alonso.
ESPN reported that Alonso - a former Real Madrid midfielder who started his coaching career at the club's academy - has long been a Los Blancos favorite candidate to succeed Ancelotti.
The Italian captain was under a lot of pressure after Real Madrid were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and lost in the Copa del Rey final. Of course, they still have a chance to win La Liga if they defeat Barcelona this weekend.
It is not yet clear whether Alonso will immediately take over Real Madrid to participate in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer in the US. Or will they appoint an interim coach for this tournament?
According to Spanish media, Santiago Solari, currently Real Madrid's director of football, is one of the options being considered. However, names such as U19 coach Alvaro Arbeloa and coach Castilla Raul Gonzalez have not been ruled out.
Alonso took over as head coach at Leverkusen after leading Real Sociedad's B team in October 2022. He helped the BayArena team from a candidate to be relegated to one of the best teams in the Bundesliga, complete an unbeaten domestic double in 2024.
This season, Alonso has moved Leverkusen to second place in the Bundesliga, while in the Champions League, they were defeated by Bayern Munich in the round of 16.
"We have to end the season, but looking back, it's development for everyone. Where we started, in the first year, it was the most difficult season. The second season is a historic season, a dream season and we have made history. And this season is the most challenging season, we have to meet expectations, play in the Champions League" - Alonso added.
During his playing career, Alonso spent 5 years at Real Madrid (2009-2014). He is an extremely important factor in the midfield of Los Blancos.
Alonso has played 236 matches for Real Madrid and scored 6 goals. At the Bernabeu, Alonso won 1 La Liga championship, 1 Champions League championship, 2 Copa del Rey and 1 Spanish Super Cup.
