Xabi Alonso leaves Leverkusen in 2025: Imminent signing for Real Madrid?

Finally, what was an open secret has been confirmed: Xabi Alonso will no longer be the coach of Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024-25 season. The coach himself announced it at a press conference prior to the match against Borussia Dortmund (Sunday, May 11), the last one the team will play at home this season.

"We can let you know that the club and I have agreed that these two matches will be my last as coach. It's the right time to make it public. We always had good communication with the club. It's a time of mixed feelings, but it's time to do it," declared the man from Tolosa.

• 📌 XABI ALONSO'S NUMBERS AT BAYER LEVERKUSEN: 3 seasons, 3 titles (the 2023-24 Bundesliga, the 2023-24 DFB Pokal and the 2024-25 German Super Cup) 138 matches, 89 wins, 31 draws and 18 losses.

Despite the relevance of the announcement, Xabi Alonso did not want to reveal what his next destination will be: "It is not the time to talk about the future, given that we want to have a nice farewell on Sunday here. We have to enjoy these moments, I spoke with the players and the staff, with everyone who was here during these three unforgettable years," he commented.

Real Madrid: Main favorite to sign him

Several sources agree that everything points to Xabi Alonso will be the next coach of Real Madrid. The link between the current coach of Leverkusen and the white entity is deep, and his characteristics fit with the idea of a renovation of the sports project after an irregular season under the orders of Carlo Ancelotti, whose contract expires in 2026.

In addition to being a highly respected figure by Real Madrid fans, the man from Tolosa has demonstrated in Germany an attractive and effective style of play, which has positioned Bayer Leverkusen as one of the teams with the most attractive style of play in Europe.

Details of the possible contract with Real Madrid

According to the newspaper 'SPORT', Xabi Alonso would sign a contract with Real Madrid for three seasons, until 2028, with the peculiarity that the third year would be optional. One of the key elements of the agreement would be the continuity of his current coaching staff, headed by Sebastián Parrilla, his right-hand man for years. Parrilla worked in Valdebebas between 2001 and 2018, so he knows the structure of the white club in depth. Alberto Encinas would also join his work team, thus replicating the successful group that accompanied him at Leverkusen.

Xabi Alonso thanks Leverkusen and its fans for their support

In his farewell message, Xabi Alonso did not want to miss the opportunity to thank the club and the fans of Bayer Leverkusen for their support during his time in Germany:

"They are mixed feelings. Today I had to experience it with the people of the club, they have given me a lot. We had a good connection, they believed in me and followed me, which is why we were successful. Now that we have clarity, it's time to enjoy it until the last match. Not only me, but other players like Tah. I want to have a proper farewell with them."

"Football and life are about finding the best moment. That was my intention. And that's how we wanted the farewell to be, especially considering the long, beautiful and important time we were here. I want to enjoy it until the last moment. It is not the time to talk about the future given that we want to have a nice farewell here. We have been together for three years, which is why there was so much appreciation and respect when I told them. The connection with the players has been key during these years and that will not disappear from one day to the next."

Florian Wirtz heading to Real Madrid?

The possible incorporation of Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid could have direct consequences in the transfer market. One of the names that sounds the most is that of Florian Wirtz, star of Leverkusen and object of interest of the white team.

Although the coach has not confirmed whether he will take any player from his current squad, he left the door open with humor: "I cannot promise not to take any player from Leverkusen with me in my next stage", he replied with laughter during his press conference, so the future of the offensive midfielder is more up in the air than ever. Will he end up in the 'merengue' team? We will have to wait for the next summer transfer market.