Xabi Alonso to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season

Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed that manager Xabi Alonso will leave the club at the end of the season.

Alonso joined the club in 2022, taking charge of 138 games, winning 88 of them. During Alonso’s tenure, Leverkusen won the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal and Supercup.

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Bayer Leverkusen’s club statement said Alonso’s “wish to terminate his contract at the end of the season” has been met.

The statement said: “Bayer 04 will announce the successor as head coach at the appropriate time.”

“After almost two-and-a-half years, and during the most successful period in the club’s history, our head coach, Xabi Alonso will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.”
Bayer Leverkusen Club Statement

Reports from the Athletic suggest Alonso will succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, with the Italian coach set to leave Los Blancos at the end of the season before the Club World Cup.

Alonso made 236 appearances for Real Madrid as a player and will take charge of his first game in June at the Club World Cup, according to the Mirror.

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Alonso said: “I owe great thanks to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, my players and staff, all the employees of the club and last but not least the fantastic fans.”

My thanks and admiration go to everybody who helped to make this triumph happen. Bayer 04 are ready for the future. The positive path will continue and I will be excited to follow it.”
Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen Manager

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.

Simon Rolfes, Sporting Manager Director at Bayer Leverkusen, said: “We are proud of the big steps forward and the standing of the club today and wish Xabi all the best in his future roles. I’m sure our paths will often cross again.”

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Written by Isabelle Newnham