Xabi Alonso announces Bayer Leverkusen exit

Xabi Alonso has said he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season ahead of his expected return to Real Madrid as head coach

The Spaniard confirmed his widely anticipated exit in a press conference ahead of Sunday’s final home game of the season against Borussia Dortmund, which will now become a send-off for Leverkusen’s departing coach.

Alonso, who won nearly everything as a player at Real Madrid, is set to take over from his old boss Carlo Ancelotti, reports Sky in Germany, with Leverkusen agreeing to release him from his contract a year early.

“This week, the club and I have agreed that these are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” said Alonso, whose side conceded their Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich last weekend.

“This is a moment with mixed emotions. This is not a moment to talk about the future.

“We want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, myself. It was the right moment to announce it.”

Alonso has emerged as one of the brightest coaching prospects in Europe since taking over at Leverkusen in 2022 and was the favourite to take over at former club Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp’s exit before Arne Slot was appointed.