- Xabi Alonso has long been linked with a return to Real Madrid as manager
- Bayer Leverkusen have begun the search to find Alonso’s successor as boss
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Former Man United boss Erik ten Hag has reportedly been included on a shortlist of candidates to succeed Xabi Alonso as Bayer Leverkusen head coach.
Alonso confirmed last week that he will leave the German side at the end of the season after nearly two-and-a-half years in the role.
The former Real Madrid midfielder is expected to join the Spanish giants in the summer, with Carlo Ancelotti leaving Los Blancos later this month to become Brazil boss.
Leverkusen have reportedly begun their search for Alonso’s successor, with Ten Hag among the names said to be under consideration, according to The Athletic.
Ten Hag has been out of work since he was sacked as Man United boss in October.
The Dutchman was dismissed with the Red Devils lying 14th in the Premier League after winning just four of their opening 14 matches.
Erik ten Hag is reportedly on Bayer Leverkusen’s shortlist to succeed Xabi Alonso as manager
Alonso will leave Bayer Levekusen at the end of the season and is expected to join Real Madrid
The Spaniard had led the club to the Bundesliga title and the German Cup last season
His departure came despite the club triggering a one-year contract extension last summer.
Ten Hag’s extension followed him leading the club to the FA Cup, having also won the Carabao Cup in his first full season in charge.
The 55-year-old is reportedly keen on joining a club in the Bundesliga or the Premier League.
Ten Hag had previously served as coach of Bayern Munich’s second team between 2015 and 2017, when Pep Guardiola led the senior side.
He then enjoyed an impressive spell at Utrecht, before leading Ajax to three consecutive Dutch titles and the 2019 Champions League semi-finals.
Former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea star Cesc Fabregas has also been viewed as a contender for the Leverkusen job.
While the German giants are said to admire Fabregas, the expectation is he will remain with Como, who he has led to 10th in their first season back in Serie A.
Fabregas is currently under contract with the Italians until 2028, meaning the club would need require compensation if Leverkusen were to poach him.
Ten Hag has been out of work since he was sacked as Manchester United boss in October
Alonso has reportedly reached an agreement to leave Bayer Leverkusen on a free this summer
Leverkusen, however, will not require compensation from Real Madrid for Alonso, with the Telegraph reporting the Spaniard has reached an amicable agreement to leave the club for free.
As Leverkusen manager, Alonso has taken charge of 139 games, winning 89 of them – 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.
He left Madrid after winning five trophies and making 236 appearances for the club in five years in 2014, and is one of Spain’s golden generation of exceptional midfielders, lifting two European Championships and a World Cup for La Roja, playing 114 times.
