Soccer

Xabi Alonso confirms Bayer Leverkusen exit before expected Real Madrid move

Spaniard led Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title and a German Cup double last season

Xabi Alonso, head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. Photograph: Uwe Miserius/EPA
Xabi Alonso, head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. Photograph: Uwe Miserius/EPA
John Brewin
Fri May 09 2025 - 15:29

Xabi Alonso will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the Bundesliga season, with the expectation he will take on the imminently vacant seat at Real Madrid.

“We can let you know that this week the club and I, we have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as a Bayern Leverkusen coach,” Alonso told a Friday press conference. “We have been talking during this week that is always about the moment and now is the right moment to announce it.”

After leading Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title and a German Cup double last season, the former Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder became one of the game’s hottest properties. Last year, after Jürgen Klopp announced his departure from Anfield, he was bookmakers’ and fans’ favourite to return to Liverpool, only to pledge another year to the club he joined in October 2022.

Now, with Carlo Ancelotti expected to depart the Bernabéu, whatever the outcome of this season’s title race with Barcelona, the Italian linked with becoming Brazil’s first modern-day foreign national team manager, Alonso is expected to return to the club where he won a La Liga title and a Champions League winner’s medal as a player. Reports in Spain suggest a pre-contract agreement has been struck with the 43-year-old.

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Leverkusen officials revealed they had agreed to Alonso’s request to cut short his existing contract, which had been due to run until the summer of 2026. This season has seen them unable to repeat last season’s heroics, where only a defeat by Atalanta in the Europa League final denied a treble of trophies. On Sunday, Alonso’s team face Borussia Dortmund in their final home game of the season, having secured second place though eight points behind crowned champions Bayern.

“It’s not the moment to talk about the future,” said Alonso. “Now we know, we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday for some players and for myself. We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions. We can be happy and proud of what we have achieved during this time. I’m very thankful from the first day to the last one. You’ve got the announcement finally after chasing it.”