Football
Xabi Alonso Confirms He Will Leave Bayer Leverkusen At End Of Season
Cai is a news and features writer that specialises in football, but has experience covering a variety of other sports, including darts, basketball, American football, MMA, boxing and more. He holds a degree in Football Journalism (BA Hons) from the University of Derby, and worked with Nottingham Forest FC and Burton Albion FC throughout his studies. Cai also has experience working in social media with the Football Association of Wales, where he worked on a freelance basis, and has also been an accredited writer in the JD Cymru Premier for both Y Clwb Pêl-Droed and welshfootie since the 2019/20 season.
Get to know Cai Parry betterPublished11 May 2025
Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will depart Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, with reports suggesting that he is set to take over as the new Real Madrid manager.
After a historic three years at the helm as Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso has confirmed that he will be departing the BayArena at the end of the season.
The Spaniard ed Die Werkself mid-season in 2022/23, and in his first full season as a senior club manager in 2023/24, he led his side to their first ever Bundesliga title and to a second German Cup without losing a single game.
Following last season’s success, Alonso was heavily linked with moves to his former playing sides Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, however he opted to remain in North Rhine-Westphalia for another campaign.
Reports now suggest that he’s likely to make his return to the Spanish capital, with current Los Blancos boss Carlo Ancelotti set to the Brazil national team ahead of their World Cup qualifying campaign in June.
Xabi Alonso Confirms Bayer Leverkusen Exit
Speaking to the media in his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday’s game against Borussia Dortmund, Alonso said: “This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach.
“It is not a moment to talk too much about the future because we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, for myself, and it is the right moment to announce it.
“We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions. It is emotional, I spoke this morning with the players, the staff, so many people who have helped me during an unbelievable, fantastic three years.
“Now is a moment to share it with the fans in this stadium where I have lived great emotions and become what I am right now.”
Alonso will lead Leverkusen out at the BayArena for the final time against Dortmund at the weekend before heading to Mainz to conclude his tenure with the German outfit on the final matchday of the season.