Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has said a decision regarding his future is “not too far” away, after bidding an emotional farewell during his final home match with the club on Sunday.
On Friday, Alonso confirmed he would be departing Leverkusen at the end of the season, with Sunday’s 4-2 defeat to Champions League hopefuls Borussia Dortmund marking his last game at the BayArena.
The Spaniard is widely tipped to return to Real Madrid, where he enjoyed great success as a player, winning both La Liga and the Champions League.
Real Madrid’s 4-3 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday has all but secured the league title for the Catalan club. With Carlo Ancelotti expected to step down at the end of the season, the managerial role at the Bernabéu may soon be vacant for Alonso.
Last season, Alonso was linked with top clubs including Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, but turned down approaches. While he has consistently sidestepped speculation over his next move, he suggested on Sunday that an announcement is imminent.
“We’ll see what happens in the future. It won’t take long, but we have to wait. Today is about our club and our players,” Alonso told DAZN.
“This marks the end of a truly special chapter in my life. I want to savour it—and then we’ll see what’s next.
“I felt emotional. This club will always remain in my heart.”
Alonso took the reins at Leverkusen in October 2022 when the club was languishing near the bottom of the Bundesliga. He led them to a sixth-place finish that season, and in his first full campaign, guided them to an historic unbeaten domestic double in the league and cup.
Ahead of Sunday’s match, club CEO Fernando Carro presented Alonso with a street sign reading ‘Xabi Alonso Allee’—a tribute echoing fans’ gestures from the day Leverkusen won their first-ever Bundesliga title in their 120-year history, when supporters unofficially renamed streets around the stadium in his honour.
Reflecting on the gesture after the match, Alonso said, “I’ll hang it in my office—whether it’s official or not doesn’t matter.”
“It’s something I’ll treasure for years to come. It’s from the fans, from the people. That makes it even more meaningful.”
Alonso will take charge of Leverkusen for the final time next Saturday in an away match against Mainz.