Leverkusen manager set to step down at season’s end, with strong links to Real Madrid as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor.
Embed from Getty ImagesXabi Alonso has confirmed he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, amid widespread reports that he is poised to take over at Real Madrid.
The 43-year-old Spaniard, who guided Leverkusen to a historic domestic double and an unbeaten Bundesliga title this season, is widely expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Santiago Bernabéu. While no formal announcement has been made, BBC Sport columnist and Spanish football expert Guillem Balagué reports Alonso will indeed succeed Ancelotti.
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Alonso announced:
“This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach.
It is not the moment to talk too much about the future—we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday for some players, for myself.
It’s emotional. I spoke this morning with the players and staff—so many people who helped me during an unbelievable, fantastic three years.”
Leverkusen, who recently relinquished their Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich, will host Borussia Dortmund this Sunday before concluding their season away at Mainz on May 17.
Alonso, a former midfielder for Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Bayern Munich, began his coaching journey with Real Madrid’s U14 side in 2018. He went on to manage Real Sociedad B before taking over at Leverkusen in October 2022, when the club sat second from bottom in the Bundesliga.
In his debut season, he guided Leverkusen to a sixth-place finish. A year later, he delivered the club’s first-ever Bundesliga title—without a single defeat—and won the DFB-Pokal. The only blemish on their record-setting 2023–24 campaign was a Europa League final loss to Atalanta, marking their sole defeat in 53 matches across all competitions.
Despite his success, Alonso had previously played down links to top clubs. In March 2024, he stated his intention to remain at Leverkusen following discussions with the club’s hierarchy. CEO Fernando Carro echoed those sentiments in April, noting that Alonso appeared “comfortable” and was planning for the future.
However, speculation surrounding Ancelotti’s departure from Real Madrid continues to intensify. The veteran Italian coach is reportedly in talks to become Brazil’s head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Ancelotti has led Real Madrid since 2021 in his second stint and has three Champions League titles with the club. However, an early UCL exit this season and a tight La Liga title race have prompted speculation about a change.
Alonso’s potential appointment would mark a full-circle return to Madrid, where he played from 2009 to 2014. Given his rapid rise as one of Europe’s most exciting managerial prospects, all eyes will be on when Real Madrid decide to make the next move official.
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