Xabi Alonso to leave Bayer Leverkusen as Real Madrid move beckons - ESPN

Xabi Alonso has confirmed he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, with the Spanish coach expected to join Real Madrid.

Alonso, who steered Leverkusen to a historic undefeated Bundesliga campaign in 2023-24 on the way to a domestic double, will leave the German club after three years.

He confirmed his departure in a news conference on Friday, with Sunday's clash against Borussia Dortmund to be his last in front of his home fans.

«This week, the club and I have agreed that these last two games are going to be my last as Leverkusen coach,» Alonso, 43, said. «Now is the right moment to announce it.

»We want to have a proper farewell on Sunday. This morning I have talked with players and staff. For sure it is a moment with mixed emotions.

«I have to be thankful for everyone — from the fans, the people in the club and for sure the players. We can be happy and we can be proud of what we have achieved. We are taking the club in the right direction.

»Why did I decide to leave? It's about moments in football. Sometimes to choose the right one is the most difficult decision. Time will tell, but I feel it has worked pretty well. We have always had a very good communication with the club, it has been one of the reasons why last year I decided I want to stay. That has not changed this year, but the momentum is maybe different."

Alonso also said it was «not time to talk about the future,» but the former Madrid midfielder is set to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabéu.

Ancelotti, despite two LaLiga titles and two Champions Leagues in his second spell with the club, has endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. Madrid have been eliminated from the Champions League and Copa del Rey, and look likely to miss out