In a press conference on Friday, Xabi Alonso announced his decision to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the current Bundesliga season, concluding a remarkable three-year tenure at the German club. The Spanish manager, who led Leverkusen to an unprecedented undefeated domestic double in the 2023-24 campaign, expressed gratitude and pride for what he described as “an unbelievable, fantastic three years.”
“This week, the club and I have agreed that these two games will be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” Xabi Alonso said, addressing reporters with emotion. “We want to have a proper farewell on Sunday, a moment to share with the fans. I think we can be proud of what we have achieved. We’ve been taking the club in the right direction.” Under Alonso, Leverkusen rose from relegation battles to Bundesliga champions, cementing their place as one of Europe’s rising forces.
Real Madrid Beckons as Ancelotti’s Exit Looms
Although Xabi Alonso avoided direct comments about his next move, multiple sources have indicated that he is set to return to Real Madrid, this time as head coach. ESPN reported that Alonso is “close” to succeeding Carlo Ancelotti, whose tenure is expected to end after Madrid’s final La Liga fixture against Real Sociedad.
Xabi Alonso’s ties to Real Madrid run deep, having played for the club between 2009 and 2014 before embarking on a coaching career that began with Real Madrid’s academy. Club insiders have long viewed him as a natural successor to Ancelotti. With Madrid’s mixed fortunes this season, including a Champions League quarterfinal exit and a Copa del Rey final loss, the club sees Alonso’s tactical acumen and Madridista pedigree as key to leading a new era.
Uncertainty Over Immediate Madrid Role
Despite the growing certainty of Xabi Alonso’s appointment, it remains unclear whether he will assume control immediately or wait until after the summer’s Club World Cup in the United States. Real Madrid are set to debut in the expanded tournament against Al Hilal on June 18 in Miami, with speculation swirling over whether an interim coach will be named for the competition.
When asked lightheartedly on Friday if he had a U.S. visa, Alonso smiled and replied, “I have no idea.” ESPN noted that Madrid’s director of football Santiago Solari is among the candidates to lead the team temporarily, while academy coaches Álvaro Arbeloa and Raúl Gonzalez have also been mentioned. The timing of Alonso’s arrival could have significant implications for Madrid’s preparations for both the Club World Cup and the new La Liga season.
A Transformative Era at Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso’s impact at Bayer Leverkusen has been widely hailed as transformative. Taking over in October 2022, he inherited a team flirting with relegation and swiftly turned them into title contenders. In his first season, he guided Leverkusen to safety and a respectable European finish. His second year delivered a dream: an undefeated league season, a DFB-Pokal triumph, and a deep Europa League run.
“This season has been the most challenging one,” Alonso reflected. “We had to fulfill expectations, playing in the Champions League. The first year was the hardest because of the situation, but last year we made history.” Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro praised Alonso’s leadership, noting that the coach’s relationship with the club’s hierarchy was pivotal in his decision to stay an extra season despite interest from top European sides last summer.
Praise from Football Greats as Xabi Alonso Moves On
Xabi Alonso’s managerial rise has drawn admiration from across the football world, including from his former coach Pep Guardiola. “His impact at Leverkusen has been unbelievable,” said Guardiola, who coached Alonso at Bayern Munich. “All the managers who had the pleasure of him as a player always knew he’d become a manager. To go to Germany and fight Bayern Munich is so difficult — and they should be so proud.”
As Alonso prepares to bid farewell to the BayArena faithful on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund, fans and pundits alike are reflecting on his legacy: a coach who restored Leverkusen’s pride, redefined their ambitions, and now departs for the biggest stage of all. For Alonso, the journey from midfield maestro to managerial mastermind is only just beginning — with Real Madrid awaiting his next chapter.
