Bayer Leverkusen have made clear their position on manager Xabi Alonso’s future, amid increasing speculation linking him to a return to Real Madrid.
Speaking candidly, Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro acknowledged that the Bundesliga club would not obstruct Alonso’s departure, provided it comes under a very specific condition.
Alonso, who has received widespread acclaim since taking charge at the BayArena in 2022, led Leverkusen to an historic unbeaten Bundesliga title last season. The triumph was accompanied by a DFB-Pokal win and a Europa League final appearance, underscoring his rapid rise as one of Europe’s most promising young managers.
Though Leverkusen trail Bayern Munich by eight points this term, Alonso remains highly sought after, with Real Madrid reportedly eyeing him as a successor to Carlo Ancelotti, whose future at the Bernabéu remains uncertain.
Carro revealed that the club would not stand in Alonso’s way if an approach was made by one of the teams he formerly represented as a player. This includes Real Madrid, Liverpool, and Real Sociedad.
As cited by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, Carro stated: “We have a gentleman’s agreement with Xabi Alonso for his exit. If a team in which Xabi Alonso has played comes, we would sit down to talk and we would NOT prevent him.”
Alonso’s ties with Real Madrid run deep. Between 2009 and 2014, he made 236 appearances for the Spanish giants, winning LaLiga, the Champions League, and two Copa del Rey titles. He also began his coaching journey with Real Sociedad’s youth teams and previously managed Madrid’s Under-14 side.
While Alonso remains a leading candidate to take over at Real Madrid, other names under consideration include Santiago Solari and club legend Raúl, either of whom could serve as an interim solution ahead of the Club World Cup.
To date, Alonso has overseen 46 matches at Leverkusen, winning 28 of them—a testament to his tactical acumen and leadership. Should one of his former clubs reach out, Leverkusen’s willingness to negotiate his release adds a new dimension to the managerial carousel already spinning at Europe’s elite clubs.
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