Alonso to leave Leverkusen amid reports of Real Madrid move

Xabi Alonso will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, amid reports he will succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.

Alonso, 43, will replace Ancelotti at Madrid, says BBC Sport columnist and Spanish football expert Guillem Balague, although it is unclear when that announcement will take place.

Last year former Liverpool and Spain midfielder Alonso led Leverkusen to the double of a Bundesliga title - without losing a game - and the German Cup in his first full season as a senior club manager.

"This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach," Alonso said on Friday.

"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."

Leverkusen, who relinquished their Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich last weekend, host Borussia Dortmund on Sunday before concluding the season at Mainz on 17 May.

Former Spain international Alonso played for Real between 2009 and 2014 following a five-year spell at Liverpool, before ending his playing career after three years at Bayern Munich in 2017.

Alonso was linked with Real, Liverpool and Bayern last year, but said in March 2024 that he wanted to stay at Leverkusen following talks with the club's hierarchy.

Speaking last month, with Leverkusen still battling for the Bundesliga title, Alonso said it was "not a good time" to discuss his future amid ongoing links with Real.

Leverkusen chief executive Fernando Carro insisted in April that Alonso was "comfortable" at the club and already planning for next season.

BBC Sport reported last month that Real Madrid boss Ancelotti is set for further talks about taking over as Brazil coach before the 2026 World Cup qualifiers in June.