Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will be departing Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, with reports earlier on Friday claiming Carlo Ancelotti will leave Real Madrid.
Alonso has long been linked to a return to the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season, with pressure mounting on Ancelotti after a comparatively disappointing campaign with Los Blancos.
He earned widespread acclaim for leading Leverkusen to an unbeaten domestic double last season, losing just one game across all fronts – the Europa League final in their final match of the campaign.
However, ahead of Sunday’s last home game of the season, Alonso has now announced that he will be leaving the club, with numerous reports indicating he departs for Real Madrid.
‘This week, the club and I have agreed these will be my last two games as Leverkusen coach,’ Alonso announced on Friday.
‘This is the right moment to announce it because we have always had this good communication with the club.
Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will be leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season
Carlo Ancelotti’s job has come under increasing fire towards the end of the current campaign
‘We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions, it is emotional! I spoke to the players and the staff it was not easy.
‘We’ve had a great connection and that’s been the key. They believed in me and they’ve followed me.
‘I want to have a proper goodbye this weekend.’
As Leverkusen manager, Alonso has taken charge of 138 games, winning 88 of them – just under an impressive 64 per cent win rate.
As well as being voted the Bundesliga’s coach of the season last year, the Spaniard was also crowned ‘Best Coach of the Year’ by Globe Soccer in 2024.
Ancelotti’s position at the Bernabeu has come under immense scrutiny after going out in the Champions League quarter-finals, losing the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona, and now seeming destined for a runners-up medal in the league to the Catalan side.
Ancelotti was linked with the vacant Brazil job but has since reportedly turned down the offer to lead them into the 2026 World Cup.
Now though he is set to be replaced with the man long tipped to be his successor, though there is another Real Madrid legend who is likely set to be left disappointed once again.
Alonso had been linked with the Liverpool job last season before Arne Slot’s appointment
Former captain Raul has spent seven years in the youth academies, including the last six with the U21s Castilla team, which has long been the finishing school for future Real Madrid senior bosses.
Zinedine Zidane for example was molded there before going on to win three Champions Leagues with the Spanish giants.
According to Marca, the Spanish legend is not being considered a likely contender to take charge of the club for the Club World Cup, should Ancelotti part before the start of the tournament in June.
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