Xabi Alonso confirms departure from Bayer Leverkusen amid Real Madrid speculation

In Germany, Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso announced his departure from the club after the end of the season, confirming that this decision was made ahead of a potential return to Real Madrid. This statement comes a year before his contract with Leverkusen was set to expire in 2026. During his time at Leverkusen, Alonso achieved remarkable feats, including leading the team to an unprecedented league and cup double last season after a challenging start when the team found itself in the relegation zone. However, the current season has not mirrored this success, with the club significantly trailing behind the champions Bayern Munich. While the specific details of Alonso’s next move remain undisclosed, there is a growing speculation that he may succeed Carlo Ancelotti as the head coach of Real Madrid. Ancelotti himself acknowledged Alonso’s impressive credentials and stated that Alonso has “all the doors open” for a potential move to a significant club, recognizing his capabilities as one of the top managers globally. The current situation at Real Madrid has created an atmosphere of uncertainty regarding Ancelotti’s future, especially given the team's unremarkable performance in the league despite recent additions to their squad. Ancelotti has been closely linked with the Brazilian national team as talks regarding the national team job have been ongoing for over a year. Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s attention is shifting to its immediate upcoming matches, including a crucial clash against Barcelona, which is essential for keeping the team’s title aspirations alive. The coaching situation at Madrid needs clarity soon, especially with an expanded Club World Cup on the horizon this summer. As Alonso prepares for his final two Bundesliga matches against Borussia Dortmund and Mainz, he reflects on his time at Leverkusen with pride. His tenure marked the beginning of his senior management career after a decorated playing career that included time with clubs such as Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern. Alonso had previously held a coaching role at Real Sociedad’s reserve team and initiated his coaching journey in Real Madrid’s youth setup.