When Bayer Leverkusen expect Xabi Alonso decision amid Real Madrid speculation | OneFootball

Bayer Leverkusen want a decision to be made over Xabi Alonso's future sooner rather than later, with managing director Fernando Carro stating that the club is not prepared to hang about waiting as it will impact their preparations for next season.

Alonso is the red-hot favourite to become Real Madrid's new manager, with Carlo Ancelotti almost certain to leave his role after seeing his side convincingly dumped out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage by Arsenal.

Real Madrid are also in danger of surrendering their La Liga crown to bitter rivals Barcelona, who they will meet in a mouthwatering Copa del Rey final at the end of April.

Ancelotti's departure has not been formally announced but the sheer volume of speculation and reports suggesting he will leave would seemingly make his future in the Spanish capital untenable. It's thought Ancelotti has one eye on the Brazil national team job – a role that has become available after the Selecao's indifferent World Cup qualifying campaign – and Real Madrid appear poised to swoop for Alonso despite the need to pay a significant compensation package to Leverkusen.

Ideally, Madrid chiefs want Alonso in place before this summer's Club World Cup. But, whatever happens, Leverkusen chief Carro says the reigning Bundesliga champions must know where they stand in the next few weeks in order to prepare for the 2025/26 campaign.

"A coaching decision has many other components that are affected," Carro said.

Carlo Ancelotti's time at Real Madrid looks to be coming to an end / Eurasia Sport Images/GettyImages

"We are already preparing the pre-season with Xabi Alonso , we are preparing the squad with him. If Xabi Alonso does end up going somewhere else, then we have to make that clear to him in the next few weeks and we will discuss it with him in the next few weeks.

"We will not wait until the end of the season, we will have to decide beforehand because that will have other consequences for squad planning and preparation."

The Athletic has reported that Leverkusen privately expect a decision to be made within three or four weeks - no later than the middle of May. Carro has additionally disclosed that a "gentleman's agreement" is in place with Alonso, whereby Leverkusen "won't put obstacles in his way" should one of his former clubs - Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Sociedad - make an approach.

Last season, the 43-year-old told Leverkusen during the March international break he would be staying for another season, amid strong interest from Liverpool.

Alonso has so far been non-committal over his future, stating in his press conferences that his focus remains on Leverkusen's remaining games and that the talk over what comes next is for the summer.

He is not the only prominent name to have been linked with the Real Madrid job. Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, who quit the Premier League club at the end of 2023/24, citing burnout, has been touted for a return to management just months after starting a global role with the Red Bull group.

Reports suggest Klopp is already missing day-to-day management, though his agent has dismissed those rumours as conjecture.