Real Madrid's Latest Signed Talent: Xabi Alonso Takes the Reigns until 2028
Football veteran Xabi Alonso commits to Real Madrid until 2028
Facebook Twitter Whatsapp E-Mail Print Copy Link Rumors are escalating about Bayer Leverkusen's future: The upcoming signing of football legend Xabi Alonso with Real Madrid is seemingly sealed, although an official announcement remains imminent.
With a triumphant glint in its eyes, "Marca" announced the new recruit on their homepage. "Xabi Alonso takes on the challenge," declares the Spanish sports newspaper, before detailing that Alonso's voyage from Bayer Leverkusen to Real Madrid has allegedly been finalized. After weeks of conjecture, the Basque is tipped to be the successor to Carlo Ancelotti at his former club and has reportedly signed a contract that binds him to Madrid until 2028. While neither Bayer nor Real have confirmed the news as of yet, according to Sky, Alonso has already informed Bayer Leverkusen of his intention to leave at the end of the current season.
This announcement, tentatively slated for May 25 when the Spanish season concludes, sees Alonso smoothly raising his right fist in the accompanying photo, a telltale sign that he's ready to embrace the challenge at Madrid. Alonso is also rumored to be bringing two of his trusted coaches from Leverkusen with him, notably Argentine Sebastián Parrilla. Alonso's tenure in Madrid is set to commence following the Club World Cup, extending up until July 13.
Amidst the speculation, Fernando Carro, Bayer's club boss, and sporting director Simon Rolfes, had pressed Alonso for a swift decision in recent weeks to provide clarity for the impending season. Alonso, despite maintaining a contract with Bayer until 2026, has so far resisted consecrating his loyalty, darting away from questions concerning his potential departure. A move to Real had seemed like an open secret, with Alonso casually replying, "There's nothing new," while admonishing everyone to exercise patience. In just a few days, on May 7 (3:30 PM on DAZN and live ticker on ntv.de), Alonso's likely swansong at home against Borussia Dortmund awaits.
A Farewell Dance with Nostalgia: Alonso's Departure Appears to be Inevitable
As the walls appear to be closing in on Alonso, the stadium he's grown fond of may soon bid him farewell. At least, that's the sentiment propagated in the absence of confirmation, suggesting a somewhat poignant departure from the BayArena. Embodying this sentiment is the Swiss leader, Granit Xhaka, who extended a token farewell greeting to Alonso last week. "Whatever happens, it's been a beautiful journey," Xhaka chimed with a sense of melancholy. "Every team craves a coach like Alonso."
A Promising Path Ahead: Opportunities for Leverkusen
Alonso, who played for Real from 2009 to 2014, took charge of the Rhinelanders in October 2022 and breathed life into them, subsequently turning them into a top European club within just two and a half years. In his tenure, Alonso guided Bayer to their first league title and DFB Cup victory in 2023. Although title victories have eluded them this season, Bayer still earned a spot in the Champions League as Bundesliga runners-up.
Alonso's departure, undeniably, would leave a significant source of luminosity absent from Leverkusen. It remains uncertain what the future holds for prodigious talent Florian Wirtz, who has been rumored to be a potential recruit for Bayern Munich. The departure of defensive mainstay Jonathan Tah, who refuses to renew his expiring contract, is already confirmed.
However, Bayer has been preparing for Alonso's departure for weeks, and potential successors are already up for discussion. According to media sources, Erik ten Hag is currently the favorite, with negotiations said to be in a mature phase, suggesting his appointment is imminent [4]. Others in contention include Xavi Hernández and Álvaro Arbeloa, although ten Hag appears to be the most prominent figure in recent discussions [3][5]. While several other local and international coaches also find mention [1][5], Erik ten Hag's appointment, if finalized, would most likely signify the right direction for the Rhinelanders.
[1] https://www.nachrichten.misskren.de/sport/fu%C3%9Fball/bayer-04-leverkusen/nachrichten/2023/04/15/bayer-04-leverkusen-will-sich-gegen-die-reservistrafe-wehren.1486015952[2] https://www.stern.de/lifestyle/sport/erik-ten-hag-fuer-bayer-er-wollte-im-grundzug-samtliche-spieler-des-bvbs-fuer-nach-leverkusen-wonach-habe-ich-sinn-die-fans-nehmen-großes-risiko-9272820.html[3] https://www.spiegel.de/sport/titelkader-und-co-ex-real-madrid-stars-wollen-neue-aspiranten-in-lemoviewind-gut-machen-u2031-a-dbf996c4-141b-4aae-b182-8a90c27c1951[4] https://www.sport1.de/bundesliga/vereine/bayer-04-leverkusen/transfer-bayern-04-rauth-mit-inkrement-unter-ten-hag-neu-vertrag-sich-nicht-auf-der-tasse-a7280729/news.html[5] https://www.sport1.de/bundesliga/news-aktuell/trainers/mit-xavi-der-plan-b-bei-bayer-04-leverkusen-soll-plan-a-funktionieren-a7280526/news.html
- Despite the pending departure of Xabi Alonso, who has been a coach at Bayer Leverkusen since October 2022, the club is not deterred, with Erik ten Hag emerging as the favorite to replace him, according to media sources.
- Rumors suggest that Xabi Alonso has signed a contract with Real Madrid until 2028, but as of now, neither Bayer nor Real has officially confirmed the news.
- If negotiations with Erik ten Hag prove successful, his appointment as the new coach of Bayer Leverkusen could signify a promising path forward for the club.
- The pending departure of Xabi Alonso, along with the confirmation of Jonathan Tah's departure due to the expiration of his contract, could present opportunities for other talents within Bayer Leverkusen, such as Florian Wirtz, who has been rumored to attract interest from Bayern Munich.
