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Xabi Alonso has indicated that news on his next managerial move will be revealed soon, after bidding an emotional farewell during his final home match as Bayer Leverkusen boss on Sunday.
The Spanish coach, who confirmed on Friday that he would be leaving Leverkusen at the end of the season, took charge of his last match at the BayArena as his side fell 4-2 to Borussia Dortmund, who are in the hunt for a Champions League place.
Alonso is strongly tipped to return to Real Madrid, where he previously lifted both La Liga and the Champions League as a player. With Madrid’s 4-3 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday effectively handing the La Liga title to their fierce rivals, speculation around the future of current boss Carlo Ancelotti has intensified, with Alonso viewed as the likely successor.
Having previously turned down interest from Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, Alonso has remained tight-lipped about his future throughout the season. However, he now suggests an announcement could come in the near future.
“We’ll see soon. Not long to wait, but today is about our club and our players,” he told DAZN. “This is the end of a wonderful chapter in my life and I want to savour it. Afterwards, we’ll see what comes next.”
He added: “It was emotional. This club will always have a special place in my heart.”
Alonso took the reins at Leverkusen in October 2022 with the team languishing near the bottom of the Bundesliga. He guided them to a sixth-place finish and then masterminded a stunning unbeaten campaign in the league and domestic cup in his first full season.
Before Sunday’s match, Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro presented Alonso with a custom street sign reading “Xabi Alonso Allee” — a nod to a fan tradition from the previous season when supporters unofficially renamed streets near the stadium in his honour.
Speaking after the match, Alonso said the sign would find a home in his next office, wherever that may be.
“It may not be official, but I’ll definitely put it in my office. It means a lot because it comes from the fans. One day I’ll explain its meaning to people — it’s one of the most memorable gifts I’ve received.”
He described his time in charge as “one of the best periods” of his life.
Alonso’s final game in charge of Leverkusen will be an away trip to Mainz next Saturday.
