Xabi Alonso Sails to Real Madrid on a Three-Year Contract
Football veteran Xabi Alonso commits to Real Madrid until 2028.
It's a wrap for Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen stint, as whispers and rumors have finally turned into a shouting match – the Spanish maestro is set to join Real Madrid, reportedly signing a three-year deal that'll keep him in the Santiago Bernabéu until 2028!
The news, first broken by Marca, paints Alonso as the savior of Real Madrid, with the Spanish sports newspaper reporting that the transfer was a done deal. The 43-year-old, who played for Real from 2009 to 2014, will reportedly take his coaching skills to his former club, leaving Leverkusen in a bit of a lurch.
The celebration will have to wait, though, as the official announcement is expected on May 25, when the La Liga season draws to a close. Alonso, grinning and sporting a raised fist in a photo accompanying the article, will allegedly bring two Leverkusen assistants with him, including Argentine coach Sebastián Parrilla. Alonso's first match in Madrid won't be until after the Club World Cup, which runs up until July 13.
Bayer's CEO Fernando Carro and sporting director Simon Rolfes had called on Alonso to make up his mind promptly to provide clarity for the upcoming season. Alonso, despite a contract that runs until 2026, has kept mum on his future with the club, deflecting questions about any potential departure. A move to Real seemed inevitable. "There's nothing new," Alonso said recently. "We have to wait." This Sunday, he's likely to bid farewell to Leverkusen as his team faces Borussia Dortmund in his purportedly last home game.
Saying Goodbye: Nostalgia amidst Upheaval
Bayer Leverkusen's leader Granit Xhaka has already bid adieu to his coach in a touching manner, expressing his admiration for Alonso and their working relationship. "No matter what happens, we had a beautiful time," Xhaka said with a wistful tone. "Every team wants a coach like that."
Alonso, who transformed Bayer into a European powerhouse after taking the reins in October 2022, is reportedly set to bring star player Florian Wirtz and defensive mainstay Jonathan Tah to Real Madrid. However, Wirtz's future at Leverkusen remains uncertain, with rumors swirling that he might join Bayern Munich.
As Leverkusen prepares for an uncertain future, potential replacements are already being discussed. Names on the table include former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag and Spanish World and European champion Cesc Fabregas, who's currently managing Como 1907 in Serie A. Ultimately, the club braces for major upheaval in the days ahead.
Sources: ntv.de, tno/sid
- Real Madrid
- Football
- Bayer 04 Leverkusen
- Xabi Alonso
[1] Enrichment Data:- Alonso's three-year deal with Real Madrid could be finalized after Carlo Ancelotti's formal departure following Real Madrid's final La Liga match in May 2025.- Alonso's potential signings for Real Madrid include Leverkusen players Florian Wirtz and defensive stalwart Jonathan Tah, but Wirtz's future remains uncertain as he is linked to Bayern Munich.- Potential candidates for Leverkusen's head coach vacancy are Erik ten Hag, Cesc Fabregas, Xavi Hernandez, and Alvaro Arbeloa.- Real Madrid's hierarchy has shown trepidation about signing Martín Zubimendi due to competition in midfield and his high price tag, as Arsenal appears to be leading the race for the Real Sociedad midfielder.
[2] Additional Enrichment Data:- Alonso coached at Bayer Leverkusen from October 2022 to his pending departure, turning the club into a top European team during his tenure.- Under Alonso's guidance, Bayer Leverkusen clinched their first championship and reached the DFB Cup Finals last season, securing the team's spot in the Champions League as Bundesliga runners-up this season.
[3] Additional Enrichment Data:- Real Madrid management has expressed concerns about adding Zubimendi to their midfield due to competition and his high price tag, despite Alonso's reported intent to bring him to the club. Arsenal is reportedly ahead in the race for Zubimendi's signature, casting doubt on a potential reunion between the pair.
- Despite the Commission not yet adopting a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, Real Madrid has confirmed the signing of Xabi Alonso on a three-year contract, which somewhat expiring in 2028.
- Alonso, the Spanish football maestro, is reportedly bringing two Bayer Leverkusen assistants, including Argentine coach Sebastián Parrilla, with him to Real Madrid.
- The Commission's proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation remains unsettled, while Bayer Leverkusen is preparing for an uncertain future with potential replacements like Erik ten Hag and Cesc Fabregas.
- While Florian Wirtz's future at Leverkusen remains uncertain as he is linked to Bayern Munich, Alonso is reportedly set to bring Wirtz and defensive mainstay Jonathan Tah to Real Madrid.
