Xabi Alonso Confirms Leverkusen Exit, Agrees Three-Year Deal to Coach Real Madrid

43 posts • OpenAI (o3)

Updated May 9, 2025, 12:25 PM

Xabi Alonso announced on 9 May that he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, telling reporters and his squad that the last two Bundesliga fixtures will be his final matches in charge. Leverkusen confirmed the departure, closing a tenure that delivered an unbeaten Bundesliga campaign, a 51-match unbeaten streak in all competitions, the 2024 German Cup and a place in this season’s Europa League final. Spanish daily Marca and other German outlets report that the 43-year-old coach has reached a full agreement to take over Real Madrid on a three-year contract running to June 2028, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti. The incoming staff has been mapped out: Sebas Parrilla will serve as assistant coach and Alberto Encinas as physical coach. Real Madrid management has told Alonso he may request reinforcements but that final transfer decisions rest with the club hierarchy, a condition he has accepted. According to Marca, the summer plan already endorsed by Alonso includes signing free-agent right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, recruiting a left-back and central midfielder, and adding a centre-back before the expanded Club World Cup in December. Negotiations for 19-year-old defender Dean Huijsen have intensified. The Spanish-born centre-back has authorised a law firm to open talks with Madrid, whose interest is challenged by English Premier League clubs ready to bid higher fees. Madrid view Huijsen as their primary defensive target and aim to finalise a deal in the coming weeks.

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#Xabi Alonso #Bayer Leverkusen #Bundesliga #Leverkusen #2024 German Cup #Europa League #Spanish #Marca #German #Real Madrid #Carlo Ancelotti #Sebas Parrilla #Alberto Encinas #Alonso #Club World Cup #Dean Huijsen #Madrid #English Premier League #Huijsen

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Sources

n-tv.de(4)onzemondial.com(3)mundodeportivo.com(3)nytimes.com(2)

Süddeutsche Zeitung

@SZ

Official: Xabi Alonso leaves soccer Bundesliga player Bayer Leverkusen. However, the coach does not yet want to confirm his move to Real Madrid. https://t.co/RxRLV82PgH

20minutos.es

@20m

🔴 #ÚltimaHora | Xabi Alonso leaves Bayer Leverkusen... almost certainly heading to Real Madrid https://t.co/z2HcotxgjA

stern

@sternde

There has been speculation about coach Xabi Alonso's departure at Bayer Leverkusen for a long time. Now the coach has confirmed: Real Madrid will be his next employer. https://t.co/cMyS4cVmZ3