Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is reportedly set to depart the Bundesliga outfit at the end of the season, according to Eurosport.
Alonso, 42, took charge of Leverkusen in October 2022 and has been a major success, overseeing the first Bundesliga title win in the club’s 120-year history. The Spaniard’s contract does not expire until 2026 however, a clause which allows him to talk to Liverpool, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, along with his astonishing achievements, has cast doubt on his future with the club for some time.
Alonso’s coaching journey so far
The former midfielder, who amassed over 500 appearances as a player for Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, began his coaching career in Real Madrid’s youth system following his retirement in 2017. In 2019, he returned to his first club and took charge of Real Sociedad’s B team, taking them from the third tier of Spanish football to the Segunda division. However, his final season ended in relegation back to the third tier.
Following his stint at Real Sociedad B, Alonso would take on his first senior role at Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen. He was appointed manager in October 2022 and found the club second bottom in the division. However, the former Bayern midfielder managed to turn Leverkusen’s season around, managing a sixth-place finish and reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Europa League.
In his first full season, Alonso would shock the footballing world with his accomplishments. Leverkusen achieved an unbeaten league and cup double, winning the Bundesliga for the first time in their history as well as their second DFB Pokal by defeating FC Kaiserslautern 1-0 in the final.
Unfortunately for Alonso, Leverkusen would fail to achieve an unprecedented invincible treble as they fell to a crushing 3-0 defeat in the Europa League final at the hands of Serie A outfit Atalanta.
Currently, the reigning German champions are sat in fourth place and are nine points behind Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich side. In the Champions League, Leverkusen currently occupy a play-off spot and sit 13th in the table.
What next for Alonso?
Last season’s heroics certainly placed Alonso on the shortlist of many elite European clubs. Rumours of a return to Anfield were a constant throughout the summer following Jurgen Klopp’s departure, as were rumours of a switch to fellow Bundesliga side Bayern Munich.
Despite the rumours, the Spaniard would prove his loyalty to Leverkusen and announced he would stay with the club for the 2024/25 season back in March. However, with reports suggesting a departure will occur this summer, what is next for Alonso?
Many feel that he is the natural choice to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid amid rumours of the Italian veteran being under pressure. While that may appear the most logical step, there is one other club that could potentially pursue Alonso.
With Pep Guardiola’s contract at Manchester City set to expire in June and with City reportedly assessing potential candidates to replace him, it could be possible that the champions of England may have a new face in the dugout next season. Given that rumoured target Ruben Amorim has now joined City’s arch-rivals Manchester United, accompanied by the persistent comparisons between Alonso and Guardiola, it is hard to argue that the in-demand Spaniard will not be at the top of the Blues’ shortlist.