Xabi Alonso will leave his role as Bayer Leverkusen head coach at the end of the season, Afrosport reports.
The 43-year-old joined Leverkusen in October 2022 and led them to their first-ever Bundesliga title last season, going the entire campaign unbeaten. He also won the German Cup and reached the final of the Europa League.
The pharmaceutical-backed outfit however failed to defend the Bundesliga which went back to Bayern Munich for the 34th time last weekend.
“This week the club and I have agreed that these two games will be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach. We have been talking during this week that is always about the moment and now is the right moment to announce it,” Xabi Alonso said.
“We have always had a good and direct communication and now that we have clarity, it is the right moment to say that for sure. It is a moment with mixed emotions but it is the moment to announce it.
“It’s not the moment to talk about the future. Now we know, we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday for some players and for myself. We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions.”
After almost two-and-a-half years, and during the most successful period in the club’s history, our head coach, @XabiAlonso, will leave #Bayer04 at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/SinXlkWJIJ
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 9, 2025
Alonso has been heavily tipped to be the next manager of Real Madrid with Carlo Ancelotti expected to leave the Bernabeu at the end of the season.
Alonso was a player for Los Blancos between 2009 and 2014, winning six titles including the Champions League in 2014.
