LEVERKUSEN, Germany (AP) Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso says he’s departing the German club in advance of a likely transfer to Real Madrid.
Earlier, according to Kicker magazine, the 43-year-old Alonso had informed his players ahead of Friday’s training session that he would leave at the end of the season, a year ahead of his contract with the club being phased out in 2026.
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🚨💣 BREAKING: Xabi Alonso confirms he’s set to LEAVE Bayer Leverkusen!
“It’s time to confirm these will be my final games at Bayer”, Xabi Alonso says…
…Real Madrid new coach, soon. 🤍🔜 pic.twitter.com/5nHKlZqfBf---Advertisement---— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 9, 2025
“This is the right moment to announce it,” the Spanish coach said Friday. “Clarity is good for everyone.”
former Madrid player Alonso guided Leverkusen to an unprecedented league and cup double last season as he took over when the German club was a couple of points from the relegation zone at the Bundesliga in October 2022.
Alonso refused to say where he will go next.
Ancelotti signed a deal through the end of next season but he has widely been seen as ready to move on following a season in which Madrid struggled from a squad that was strengthened by the addition of Kylian Mbappé.
“Now is not the day to talk about the future,” said Alonso, who is reportedly the lead candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid.
Ancelotti will attend a standard pre-game news press conference on Saturday. He plays a massive game on Sunday with Madrid coming to Barcelona, four points behind its rival and in need of a win to remain in contention for the La Liga title.
