Bayer Leverkusen Confirms Xabi Alonso's Departure to Real Madrid

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso will leave the club at the end of the season to join Real Madrid, reportedly on a three-year deal. Read more about the transfer.

Bayer Leverkusen has confirmed that manager Xabi Alonso will depart the club at the end of the season after a successful 2.5-year tenure. Alonso is expected to join Real Madrid on a three-year deal.

Alonso made history last season by leading Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title, breaking Bayern Munich's dominance. He's set to take the reins at Real Madrid, tasked with restoring the team's domestic and European glory.

The German side and the coach have mutually agreed to end his contract, which was set to run until 2026.

He's expected to succeed Ancelotti at Real Madrid, who is likely to take over as Brazil's national team manager ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Ancelotti has been with Real Madrid since 2021, leading the team to multiple titles including two LaLiga and two Champions League trophies during his second stint.

Alonso will face immense pressure at Real Madrid, but he's familiar with the environment, having played there for five years and made 236 appearances. He even played under Ancelotti during his first spell.

Bayer Leverkusen's Werner Wenning said, “Together with Xabi Alonso we have written a success story just through winning the league title without defeat in a way not seen in German football.”

“He was an outstanding ambassador at all times as coach both for our club as well as for the whole Bundesliga. Therefore, we are very grateful to Xabi Alonso.”

After almost two-and-a-half years, and during the most successful period in the club's history, our head coach, @XabiAlonso, will leave #Bayer04 at the end of the season. pic.twitter.com/SinXlkWJIJ

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 9, 2025

Alonso added: “I owe great thanks to Bayer Leverkusen, my players and staff, all the employees of the club and last but not least the fantastic fans. Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance.

“This club, who showed exceptional trust in me, very much deserved to win the German league title for the first time. My thanks and admiration go to everybody who helped to make this triumph happen, including the DFB Pokal win in Berlin. 

“Bayer are ready for the future. The positive path will continue and I will be excited to follow it.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫.

More than a coach - a legend 🖤❤️

Thank you for everything, Xabi! pic.twitter.com/1Q4StFC9PM

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 9, 2025

Alonso will inherit a strong Real Madrid squad, which is expected to be further bolstered by the signing of Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold on a free transfer this summer.

His first challenge could be the Club World Cup, starting June 15th in the US, where Real Madrid will face Al Hilal, Pachuca, and RB Salzburg in the group stage.

Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen are likely to finish second in the Bundesliga behind Bayern Munich this season, after achieving a league and cup double last year under Alonso's leadership.