Xabi Alonso is aware of Real Madrid's interest in him but wants to wait until the end of the season to make a decision regarding his future.
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Alonso's future at Leverkusen uncertainHas been tipped to join Real Madrid No signs of Ancelotti's departure yetFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?
According to a report fromMARCA, Alonso has opted not to commit his future to defending Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen and will wait until the end of the season to make a decision. It has been widely speculated that the former Spain international is the primary candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the Real Madrid dugout, should the Italian leave the club this summer.
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Alonso took over the reins at Bayer Leverkusen at the end of 2022, when the club was flirting with relegation. The former Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid midfielder instantly transformed Leverkusen from relegation-battlers to one of the most entertaining teams in the Bundesliga, guiding them to a sixth-place finish and the Europa League semi-finals in his first season at the top level.
Then came the historic 2023-24 season, where Leverkusen got rid of their infamous 'Neverkusen' nickname by going unbeaten to clinch their first-ever league title. Additionally, they won the DFB-Pokal and finished as runners-up in the Europa League, with their shock 3-0 loss to Atalanta in the final their only loss of the entire season.
Alonso's tactical nous and man management has attracted interest from the biggest clubs in Europe. Liverpool and Bayern Munich were keen last summer, but he rejected them in favour of building his project at the BayArena. Things may, however, look different at the end of the current season.
DID YOU KNOW?
Given Alonso's ties to Real Madrid as a former player, it felt inevitable that he would be linked with the club's head coach job. In 2024, both Ancelotti and Alonso renewed their contracts with their respective clubs until 2026. The Italian has time and again reaffirmed his stance when it comes to his future at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"Hahaha. I want to be very clear: I will never decide the date of my departure from this club in my life," the 65-year-old stated in January, explaining that he has no desire to step down. "I know perfectly well that it will come one day, but I will not decide that day."
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Alonso's silence regarding his future suggests that the Real Madrid job could be a realistic option this summer. As has been the trend in recent years, Madrid will make a decision on Ancelotti's position only after the current campaign comes to an end. Real remain in the hunt for a treble this season, with the Copa del Rey, La Liga title and the Champions League all in their sights.
