Xabi Alonso confirmed he would leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season after nearly three years in charge.
The 43-year-old was widely expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, where he made 236 appearances as a player.
Alonso closes a historic Leverkusen chapter
Alonso took over in October 2022 with Leverkusen in the relegation zone. In his first full season, he led the club to its first Bundesliga title without losing a league match.
Leverkusen also won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final, where Atalanta ended their unbeaten run.
“This week, the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” Alonso said. He called the decision emotional but said the timing was right.
Leverkusen agree to release Alonso
Alonso’s contract ran until 2026, but Leverkusen accepted his request to leave after the season. The coach thanked the players, staff and supporters in a club statement.
“Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance,” he said. Sporting director Simon Rolfes described Alonso’s tenure as a milestone in the club’s development.
Real Madrid prepare for a change
Alonso declined to discuss his next job before completing the season. Reports in Germany and Spain nevertheless identified Real Madrid as his destination.
Ancelotti remained under contract until 2026 but was expected to leave after Madrid’s season. Alonso’s final matches with Leverkusen were against Borussia Dortmund and Mainz, bringing an extraordinary chapter to a close before his anticipated return to Madrid.
