Bayer Leverkusen on Friday confirmed that Xabi Alonso will be leaving his role as manager at the end of this season.
“I owe great thanks to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, my players and staff, all the employees of the club and last but not least, the fantastic fans. Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance,” said Alonso in a statement released by the club
He has been heavily liked with joining Real Madrid, and is set to replece Carlo Ancelotti at the helm.
The 2010 FIFA World Cup winner could return to Madrid for the first time as the senior team manager, having won nine major trophies over 236 competitive appearances.
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His last stint at the club was also in coaching, looking after the under-14 side.
Leverkusen’s head coach Xabi Alonso celebrates winning the Bundesliga title, the first ever for the German club.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Leverkusen’s head coach Xabi Alonso celebrates winning the Bundesliga title, the first ever for the German club.
| Photo Credit:
AP
Former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, who helped Liverpool win its first Premier League title in 2020, was also in the shortlist but it was Alonso who looks to have won the race.
Alonso became the talk of the town in global club football in his first stint in senior football management when he helped Bayer Leverkusen from the brink of relegation to its maiden Bundesliga title in two seasons.
He also won the DFB Pokal and German Super Cup.
Alonso had won the 2013-14 UEFA Champions League under Ancelotti, and the former midfielder had previously hinted that there could be an approach towards him.
