Xabi Alonso to Depart Bayer Leverkusen After Current Season
Xabi Alonso's Departure from Bayer Leverkusen
Leverkusen [Germany], May 9: Xabi Alonso, the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, is poised to leave the club following the conclusion of the ongoing season, bringing an end to his more than two-and-a-half-year tenure with the German team.
The club has confirmed that they have mutually agreed to terminate Alonso's contract, which was originally set to run until the summer of 2026. During his successful period, Alonso led the team to victory in the Bundesliga, DFB Pokal, and Supercup last season. However, Leverkusen narrowly missed out on a historic treble after losing to Atalanta FC in the Europa League final.
In a statement released on Friday, Bayer 04 Leverkusen announced, “Bayer 04 Leverkusen and head coach Xabi Alonso will part ways after more than two and a half years. The champions of Germany, DFB Pokal, and Supercup winners of 2024 have honored the Spaniard's request to end his contract, which was set to last until the summer of 2026, following this season. The club will reveal the new head coach at the appropriate time.”
Alonso expressed mixed feelings about his departure but acknowledged it was the right time to make the announcement. His final home match will be against Borussia Dortmund on Sunday, with his last game in charge scheduled against Mainz on May 17.
“This week, the club and I have agreed that these will be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach. It’s a moment filled with mixed emotions. This isn’t the time to discuss the future; we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday for some players and myself. It felt like the right moment to share this,” he stated, as reported by Sky Sports.
Alonso's decision follows a recent title loss to Bayern Munich. He has been rumored to be a strong candidate for a managerial position at Real Madrid. However, he remained tight-lipped about his future plans, saying, “Once the season concludes, that will be the time to discuss what comes next. Now is not the moment for that.”
Werner Wenning, chair of the shareholders committee at Bayer 04, praised Alonso's contributions, stating, “Together with Xabi Alonso, we have crafted a success story by winning the league title without defeat, a feat not seen in German football. He has been an exceptional ambassador for our club and the Bundesliga. We are immensely grateful to Xabi Alonso.”