Bayer Leverkusen manager Alonso says he will leave at end of season

Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso will leave at the end of the season, with the Spaniard saying on Friday the time was right, as media reports link him to the Real Madrid job for next term.

Alonso took charge of Leverkusen in October 2022 before guiding them to the double last season with their first Bundesliga title, without losing a game, while they also won the German Cup and reached the Europa League final.

"We can let you know that this week the club and I, we have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as a Bayer Leverkusen coach," Alonso told reporters.

Leverkusen, who will finish the season as runners-up to Bayern Munich, host Borussia Dortmund on Sunday before ending the Bundesliga season at Mainz 05 on May 17.

"We've been talking during this week and now it's the right moment to announce it ..." Alonso added of his departure.

"Now that we have clarity it's the right moment to say that for sure it's a moment with mixed emotions, that it's the moment to announce it and to know it.

"It's not the moment to talk too much about the future because now that we know, we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, for myself ..."

Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich reclaimed the title from Leverkusen with two games left to play, with Alonso's side currently eight points adrift of the Bavarians.