Xabi Alonso will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, likely to join Real Madrid. After a successful run in Germany, he’s ready for a new challenge at one of football’s biggest clubs.
End of a Successful Journey in Germany
Xabi Alonso, the coach of German club Bayer Leverkusen, has announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season. Many people believe that when Real Madrid comes calling, no coach or player says no—and that seems to be true for Alonso too. Reports suggest that Alonso has received an offer from Real Madrid and may join them next season.
Alonso Confirms Departure
On Friday, Alonso officially shared the news of his exit. He said that he and the club had agreed that the final two matches of the season would be his last. “This week the club and I agreed that these two matches will be my last as coach of Bayer Leverkusen,” he said at a press conference. “We’ve always had clear and honest communication. Now, there’s clarity for everyone.”
Emotional Goodbye to the Fans
Alonso spoke about how emotional it will be to say goodbye, especially during Leverkusen’s last home match against Borussia Dortmund. “It’s been an incredible, great three years,” he said. “I want to say a proper goodbye on Sunday. I think we can be proud of what we’ve done. We took the club in the right direction.”
Turning the Team Around
Alonso joined Leverkusen in October 2022. It was his first job as a head coach at a major club. Before this, he coached the reserve team of Spanish club Real Sociedad. When he arrived at Leverkusen, the team was struggling and close to relegation. But under his leadership, everything changed.
Historic Achievements
During his time at Leverkusen, Alonso led the team to its first Bundesliga title. In 2024, they even achieved a domestic double, remaining unbeaten in the league and winning both the league and the cup. This season, they are set to finish second in the Bundesliga. They were knocked out of the Champions League in the round of 16 by Bayern Munich.
Alonso said, “Looking back, we’ve come a long way. The first season was the hardest because the situation was critical. The second season was like a dream—we made history. This third season was the most challenging because we had to meet high expectations and play in the Champions League.”
Real Madrid’s Interest in Alonso
Although Alonso has not confirmed his future plans, many believe he will return to Real Madrid as head coach. He once played for Real Madrid as a midfielder, and sources say he is the club’s top choice to replace current coach Carlo Ancelotti.
What’s Next for Real?
According to ESPN, Ancelotti may leave the club after their final league game against Real Sociedad. He is under pressure after being eliminated from the Champions League and losing the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona. Still, Real Madrid could win the La Liga title if they beat Barcelona in El Clasico on Sunday.
There is also the Club World Cup in the USA this June and July. If Ancelotti leaves before then, Real Madrid may need a new coach immediately. If Alonso isn’t ready to join yet, they might choose a temporary coach for the tournament.
Alonso’s Coaching Career Looks Promising
In just a short time, Alonso has proven himself to be a smart and talented coach. From saving a struggling team to winning major trophies, he has shown great leadership. His next step might be one of the biggest in football coaching Real Madrid.
As fans wait for the official announcement, one thing is clear: Alonso’s coaching career is just getting started, and exciting things are on the horizon.