Xabi Alonso has announced plans to quit as Bayer 04 Leverkusen Football Club’ manager at the end of the season after more than two and half years at the helm of the German club.
His exit comes amid strong links to Spanish giants, Real Madrid, where it has been reported he will join in coming months following the exit of Carlo Ancelloti, who will become the coach of the Brazilian National Team.
Alonso, who played for Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, won the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and Supercup with Bayer Leverkusen as manager in 2024.
He led Bayer Leverkusen on an unbeaten run that was only ended when Atalanta defeated the club 3-0 at the 2024 Europa League final.
The club in a statement said it will announce the successor as head coach at the appropriate time.
Speaking on the development, Mr Werner Wenning, chair of the shareholders committee at Bayer 04.
“Together with Xabi Alonso we have written a success story just through winning the league title without defeat in a way not seen in German football.”
“He was an outstanding ambassador at all times as coach both for our club as well as for the whole Bundesliga. Therefore, we are very grateful to Xabi Alonso,” he added.
Mr Fernando Carro, as CEO, highlighted the sporting reputation that Bayer 04 has gained over the past two and a half seasons both at home and abroad: “Bayer 04 have achieved lasting recognition in the football world through the targeted success under Xabi Alonso. Bringing the Meisterschale to Leverkusen unbeaten plus winning the DFB Pokal, reaching the Europa League final and winning the Supercup makes us very proud.”
Sporting managing director, Mr Simon Rolfes assessed the Alonso era as a “milestone in the development of Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Together with Xavi, we have put together a team that has impressed the whole football world through quality on the pitch and mentality,” said Rolfes. “We are proud of the big steps forward and the standing of the club today and wish Xabi all the best in his future roles. I’m sure our paths will often cross again.”
For Alonso, the brilliant first chapter in his career as a professional coach ends with this departure from Leverkusen. “I owe great thanks to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, my players and staff, all the employees of the club and last but not least the fantastic fans. Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance.”
“This club, who showed exceptional trust in me, very much deserved to win the German league title for the first time. My thanks and admiration go to everybody who helped to make this triumph happen including the DFB Pokal win in Berlin,” said Alonso.
“Bayer 04 are ready for the future. The positive path will continue and I will be excited to follow it,” he added.