Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will depart the club at the end of the season, sparking speculation about a potential return to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
“It’s the right moment,” Alonso said on Friday. “I spoke this morning to the players and staff who have been with me during this unbelievable, fantastic three years.”
While Alonso did not reveal his next destination, media reports in Spain and Germany suggest the former midfielder has agreed to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid after the FIFA Club World Cup. A compensation payment of around 12 million euros ($13.5 million) is expected to be paid to Leverkusen.
Alonso took charge of Leverkusen in October 2022 and led the team to an unbeaten season, clinching both the Bundesliga and the German Cup in 2023-24—the first league title in the club’s history.
In March 2024, despite interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich—all clubs he represented as a player—Alonso had committed to staying with Leverkusen. However, recent developments have changed the course of his journey.
“Now it’s the moment to share it on Sunday, especially with the fans, in the stadium where I have lived great emotions and where I have become what I am right now,” Alonso added.
Alonso will lead Leverkusen at home for the final time on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund before their last match away against Mainz next Saturday.
Leverkusen’s hopes of defending their title ended with a 2-2 draw at Freiburg last Sunday, confirming Bayern Munich as this season’s Bundesliga champions. Regardless of the outcomes of their remaining matches, Leverkusen will finish in second place.
“We can be happy and proud of what we have achieved, always with the good feeling we’re taking the club in the right direction,” Alonso reflected.
