Alonso bids farewell to Leverkusen, eyes coaching job at Real Madrid

Xabi Alonso (42) will conclude his time with Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso said at the pre-match press conference on the 10th (Korean time) for the 33rd round of the 2024-2025 Bundesliga against Dortmund, "The remaining two matches are the last schedule at Leverkusen," and noted, "This decision was made after discussions with the club."

He then said, "I informed the players first this morning. I want to say goodbye to the fans during the home game against Dortmund. The past three years have been an incredible time, almost unbelievable. I want to share that feeling with the fans."

Since taking the helm at Leverkusen in October 2022, where he began his role as head coach, he led the team to a 6th place finish in the Bundesliga in his first season. In the 2023-2024 season, he achieved an unbeaten championship with 28 wins and 6 draws, causing a sensation. Alonso's Leverkusen took the Bundesliga title from Bayern Munich, which had held the top spot for 11 years.

His coaching career began with the youth team of Real Madrid. After debuting as the head of the U-14 team in 2018, he moved through Real Sociedad B before arriving at Leverkusen.

Leverkusen has already secured 2nd place in the league this season. Alonso refrained from making specific comments about future plans, but a likely next destination is his former team, Real Madrid.

During his playing career, Alonso played for Real Madrid from 2009 to 2014. Real Madrid was eliminated in the quarter-finals of this season's UEFA Champions League and is currently in 2nd place in La Liga, having finished as runners-up in the Copa del Rey. The current head coach, Carlo Ancelotti, is likely to lead the Brazil national team after the season ends.

Local media are predicting Alonso as the next head coach of Real Madrid.

Spain's 'Marca' reported on the 9th, "Real Madrid will part ways with Carlo Ancelotti at the end of the La Liga season on May 25 and will transition to a regime led by Xabi Alonso."

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