Xabi Alonso to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season | OneFootball

After two-and-a-half years together, including a memorable domestic invincible season and winning both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal, Xabi Alonso is set to leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked with the Real Madrid job should current boss Carlo Ancelotti depart.

Werner Wenning, chair of Leverkusen’s shareholders committee, said: “Together with Xabi Alonso, we have written a success story just through winning the league title without defeat in a way not seen in German football.

“He was an outstanding ambassador at all times as coach both for our club as well as for the whole Bundesliga. Therefore, we are very grateful to Xabi Alonso.”

Alonso, who was beaten during the 23/24 Europa League final when on the precipice of an invincible Leverkusen treble, said: “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.”

“This club, who showed exceptional trust in me, very much deserved to win the German league title for the first time.

“Bayer 04 are ready for the future. The positive path will continue and I will be excited to follow it.”

Fernando Carro, CEO of Bayer Leverkusen, said: “Bayer 04 have achieved lasting recognition in the football world through the targeted success under Xabi Alonso.”

“Bringing the Meisterschale to Leverkusen unbeaten plus winning the DFB Pokal, reaching the Europa League final and winning the Supercup makes us very proud.”

Alonso opted not to address his future, adding: “It’s not the moment to talk about the future. Now we know, we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday for some players and for myself. We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions.

“I have to be thankful to everyone, from the fans, to the staff and the players. Football is about the moment and this moment is a good one for everyone. Let’s enjoy it for the last moment as much as we have done until now.”