Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso says he’s leaving the German club ahead of an expected move to Real Madrid. “This is the right moment to announce it,” the Spanish coach said on Friday. “Clarity is good for everyone.” Kicker magazine reported earlier that the 43-year-old Alonso had informed his players before Friday’s training session that he was leaving at the end of the season, one year before his contract with the club expires in 2026.
Alonso, a former Madrid player, led Leverkusen to an unprecedented league and cup double last season after taking over when the German club was in the Bundesliga’s relegation zone in October 2022.
Alonso declined to say where he will be going next.
“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 is under contract until the end of next season, but he is widely expected to be leaving after a campaign in which Madrid struggled despite adding Kylian Mbappé to its squad.
Ancelotti is scheduled to give a routine pre-game news conference on Saturday. He faces a huge match on Sunday when Madrid visits Barcelona, trailing its rival by four points and needing a victory to keep alive its La Liga title defence.
Brazil has been courting Ancelotti for over a year, and it appears talks about the national team job are still ongoing with the veteran manager. Ancelotti has repeatedly deflected questions regarding his future by saying he will announce his plans when the season ends.
Madrid needs to clarify its coaching situation with little rest time ahead of the expanded Club World Cup this summer.
Xabi Alonso, who led Bayer Leverkusen to unprecedented league and cup double last season, is reportedly the lead candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
