Xabi Alonso ‘will LEAVE Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season’ – with three European giants on alert

Xabi Alonso is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024-25 season, according to reports from Spain. 

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder is one of the most highly-regarded young coaches in the game after masterminding a domestic invincible season with the German side last term. 

The Spanish legend’s current contract with the Bundesliga champions runs out in summer 2026, however reports from Eurosport Spain indicate that he will in fact depart a year earlier. 

Alonso was heavily linked with both Liverpool and Real Madrid last season as a result of his stellar work with Bayer Leverkusen, who were denied an precedented invincible campaign across all competitions by Atalanta in the Europa League final, a heartbreaking final game of the season. 

However, the report from Eurosport has linked Alonso with the Real Madrid job, currently filled by Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian great’s contract at the Santiago Bernabeu is also up in 2026, though, meaning it is unclear whether or not Alonso will indeed return to his former club. 

In fact, the report further adds that it has not been ruled out for him to make the short trip across country to Bayern Munich.

While Vincent Kompany’s side have played some very exciting football at times this term, his position in charge is by no means solidified, and Eurosport contends that the performances under the Belgian are not entirely to satisfaction. 

Perhaps a surprise third contender, Real Sociedad have also been linked to Alonso, who came through as a manager at the helm of the B team at his former club. 

But it is Real Madrid with whom the links are strongest for one of the most highly regarded of a crop of young coaches on the elite European scene. 

That is not to say that it is a straight-forward swap, though. Ancelotti’s aforementioned contract is a sizeable obstacle to a smooth return for Alonso, who is thought to be keen to take a step forward in his career.

It is thought that there is no clear plan in Alonso’s mind for next term, and that he has not lined up Real Madrid as a reason for leaving Leverkusen, where he has made such an impression. 

Real Madrid are one of those clubs that you may feel are impossible to turn down, but there is more to contend with then perhaps meets the eye. 

For one, the introduction of Kylian Mbappe – who is yet to hit the heights the world knows full well he is capable of – has brought a new atmosphere to the dressing-room; not an entirely negative one, but one that may be difficult for an inexperienced manager to control. 

Mbappe, Vinicius Jnr, Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham – all four are among the best attacking players in the world, and must be crow-barred into the same XI in a way that keeps all parties happy, whilst also bringing the best out of each for the team.

While Bayer Leverkusen are a massive side in Germany, as evidence by their invincible conquest last term, they haven’t the level of superstars in the dressing room Alonso may find in the Spanish capital. 

It is unlikely that Ancelotti would be pushed out of the club at this stage, despite two bruising home defeats by Barcelona and AC Milan in recent weeks, though Alonso is reportedly viewed as ‘the chosen one’ by Real chiefs. 

As well as Alonso, Leverkusen’s left back Alejandro Grimalso, whose explosion onto the scene mirrors that of his manager, is also thought to be leaving the club at the end of the current campaign.