Xabi Alonso To Depart Bayer Leverkusen After Historic Tenure.
Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed that head coach Xabi Alonso will leave the club at the end of the 2024/25 season, bringing to a close a remarkable two-and-a-half-year spell that has marked the most successful period in the club’s history. The announcement, made via the club’s official channels, has sent shockwaves through the footballing world, with speculation rife that the 43-year-old Spaniard is set to take the helm at Real Madrid.
Alonso, who joined Leverkusen in October 2022 when the team were languishing in the Bundesliga’s relegation zone, transformed the club into a formidable force. His tenure culminated in an unprecedented 2023/24 season, where Leverkusen clinched their first-ever Bundesliga title without a single defeat—a feat unmatched in German football history. The club also secured the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup, completing a domestic treble and establishing an unbeaten streak of 51 matches across all competitions, only halted by a Europa League final loss to Atalanta.
“This week, the club and I have agreed that these last two games will be my final ones as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” Alonso said at a press conference on Friday, ahead of the team’s final home match against Borussia Dortmund. “It’s about moments in football, and now is the right time to announce it. I owe great thanks to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, my players, staff, and the fantastic fans. Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance.”
Under Alonso’s guidance, Leverkusen not only achieved domestic glory but also earned global recognition for their dynamic, possession-based style of play, often likened to the philosophy of Pep Guardiola, under whom Alonso played at Bayern Munich. His tactical acumen, employing a 3-4-2-1 formation with adaptive pressing and build-up play, revitalised the squad, with key signings like Granit Xhaka and Alejandro Grimaldo flourishing.
Simon Rolfes, Leverkusen’s sporting director, hailed Alonso’s impact as “a milestone in the development of Bayer 04 Leverkusen,” praising the team’s quality and mentality that “impressed the whole football world.” CEO Fernando Carro echoed this sentiment, noting the lasting recognition the club gained under Alonso’s leadership.
While Alonso remained tight-lipped about his future, stating, “It’s not the moment to talk about what comes next,” reports across Europe strongly link him with Real Madrid, where he is expected to succeed Carlo Ancelotti. Sources suggest a three-year deal with the Spanish giants is in place, with an announcement pending Ancelotti’s departure. Alonso, a former Real Madrid midfielder who won La Liga and the Champions League during his playing career, is seen as a charismatic figure capable of rejuvenating the Bernabéu faithful.
As Leverkusen prepare for Alonso’s final home game at the BayArena, fans are set to give their beloved coach a heartfelt send-off. His last match will be away at Mainz on 17 May, concluding a chapter that saw Leverkusen rise from near-relegation to champions. “Bayer 04 are ready for the future, and I will be excited to follow their path,” Alonso added, leaving the door open for future encounters.
Alonso’s departure marks the end of an era, but his legacy at Leverkusen—defined by silverware, records, and an indomitable spirit—will endure. The club now faces the challenge of finding a successor to continue his extraordinary work, with an announcement expected in due course.
