Picture Credit: X
On Friday, May 9, Bayer Leverkusen confirmed that their current first-team manager Xabi Alonso will depart the club at the end of the ongoing season after winning them the double in Germany last year. The 43-year-old, who took Bayer Leverkusen to new heights during his two-and-a-half year rein as manager, is reportedly set to replace Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid, but there is no confirmation on behalf of both the parties to this regard.
Notably, during his tenure as Bayer Leverkusen manager, Xabi Alonso led them to a Bundesliga title last season, without losing a game, which meant that they were called the “Invincibles”. Apart from that, the club also ended up winning the German Cup in his first year as senior club manager, a unique feat which came at the expense of Bayern Munich, who had dominated football in the country for a decade prior.
In their latest post on the official X account, Bayer Leverkusen wrote, “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.” On Friday, Xabi Alonso spoke at the press conference about his intention to leave the club at the end of the season, and said, as per BBC Sport, “This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach.”
It is not a moment to talk too much about the future because we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday: Xabi Alonso
He was also quoted as saying, “It is not a moment to talk too much about the future because we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, for myself, and it is the right moment to announce it. We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions. It is emotional, I spoke this morning with the players, the staff, so many people who have helped me during an unbelievable, fantastic three years.”
“Now is a moment to share it with the fans in this stadium where I have lived great emotions and become what I am right now,” Xabi Alonso added.
