Alonso Announces He Will Leave Bayer Leverkusen After This Season
Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso announced on Friday that he will depart from the club at the conclusion of the season, amidst speculation linking him to Real Madrid, a prominent team in Spain's La Liga. Alonso remarked that it was "the right...
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Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso announced on Friday that he will depart from the club at the conclusion of the season, amidst speculation linking him to Real Madrid, a prominent team in Spain's La Liga.
Alonso remarked that it was "the right moment" to reveal his departure, though he refrained from discussing his upcoming position, stating it was "not the right moment to talk too much about the future."
Reports from Spanish and German media suggest that the 43-year-old has already made arrangements to take over at Real Madrid, where he is expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti after the FIFA Club World Cup. The reports indicate that Leverkusen will receive a compensation payment of around 12 million euros.
Since taking the helm at Leverkusen in October 2022, Alonso has led the team to an impressive unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double in the 2023-24 season, achieving the club’s first-ever league title.
In March 2024, Alonso expressed his intent to remain with the team despite interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich—teams where he has previously played and enjoyed significant success.
"We have to enjoy this moment, with mixed emotions. I spoke this morning to the players, the staff, who have been with me during this unbelievable, fantastic three years," Alonso shared.
He will make his final appearance in the home dugout on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund, with his last match in charge at Leverkusen scheduled for next Saturday against Mainz.
"Now it's the moment to share it on Sunday, especially with the fans, in the stadium on Sunday, where I lived great emotions and where I have become what I am right now," he said. "Football is about the moment and I think is a good moment for everyone. Let's enjoy it... We can be happy and proud of what we have achieved always with the good feeling we're taking the club in the right direction."
Leverkusen's attempt to defend their title concluded with a 2-2 draw at Freiburg on Sunday, which secured Bayern Munich as this season’s Bundesliga champions. Alonso's squad is set to finish in second place, regardless of the outcomes in their remaining two matches.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
Alonso remarked that it was "the right moment" to reveal his departure, though he refrained from discussing his upcoming position, stating it was "not the right moment to talk too much about the future."
Reports from Spanish and German media suggest that the 43-year-old has already made arrangements to take over at Real Madrid, where he is expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti after the FIFA Club World Cup. The reports indicate that Leverkusen will receive a compensation payment of around 12 million euros.
Since taking the helm at Leverkusen in October 2022, Alonso has led the team to an impressive unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double in the 2023-24 season, achieving the club’s first-ever league title.
In March 2024, Alonso expressed his intent to remain with the team despite interest from Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich—teams where he has previously played and enjoyed significant success.
"We have to enjoy this moment, with mixed emotions. I spoke this morning to the players, the staff, who have been with me during this unbelievable, fantastic three years," Alonso shared.
He will make his final appearance in the home dugout on Sunday against Borussia Dortmund, with his last match in charge at Leverkusen scheduled for next Saturday against Mainz.
"Now it's the moment to share it on Sunday, especially with the fans, in the stadium on Sunday, where I lived great emotions and where I have become what I am right now," he said. "Football is about the moment and I think is a good moment for everyone. Let's enjoy it... We can be happy and proud of what we have achieved always with the good feeling we're taking the club in the right direction."
Leverkusen's attempt to defend their title concluded with a 2-2 draw at Freiburg on Sunday, which secured Bayern Munich as this season’s Bundesliga champions. Alonso's squad is set to finish in second place, regardless of the outcomes in their remaining two matches.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
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