Xabi Alonso announces Bayer Leverkusen exit ahead of Real Madrid move

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, on Friday, announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, ahead of his expected return to Real Madrid as head coach.

Alonso confirmed his widely anticipated exit in a press conference ahead of Sunday’s final home game of the season against Borussia Dortmund, which will now become a send-off for Leverkusen’s departing coach.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder said: “This week, the club and I have agreed that these are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach.

“This is a moment with mixed emotions. This is not a moment to talk too much and not to talk about the future.

“We want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, myself. It was the right moment to announce it.”

Leverkusen won a league and cup double last season under Alonso, the first Bundesliga title in the club’s history, falling just short of a remarkable unbeaten treble with defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League final.

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Now Alonso, who won nearly everything as a player at Real Madrid, is set to take over from his old boss Carlo Ancelotti after he completes the campaign with Leverkusen.

But Alonso was reluctant to discuss his future plans until after the final game of the season away to Mainz on May 17.

“When the season is wrapped, then it will be the moment for the next thing. Not the moment for that,” Alonso, whose side conceded their Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich last weekend, added.

Ancelotti looks set to depart Real Madrid at the end of this season, just a year after winning the Champions League and LaLiga – and with the Spanish champions still fighting to retain their title.

With four games to go, Real Madrid are four points behind leaders Barcelona, who they travel to face on Sunday in a huge game for the title race.

Ancelotti is expected to become the next Brazil head coach.

The Star