Xabi Alonso confirms Bayer Leverkusen departure with Real Madrid waiting in the wings

Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.

The Spaniard led the German club to a famous league and cup double during a remarkable unbeaten domestic season last year.

But after coming up short in his attempt to retain the Bundesliga title, Alonso confirmed his decision to depart before Sunday’s home match against Borussia Dortmund, ending a three-year spell at the club.

"This week, the club and I have agreed that these last two games are going to be my last as Leverkusen coach," Alonso said. "Now is the right moment to announce it.

"We want to have a proper farewell on Sunday. This morning I have talked with players and staff. For sure it is a moment with mixed emotions.

"I have to be thankful for everyone – from the fans, the people in the club and for sure the players. We can be happy and we can be proud of what we have achieved. We are taking the club in the right direction."

Alonso is set to take over from Carlo Ancelotti as Real Madrid manager, reuniting with the club he spent five successful years at, winning La Liga in 2012 and the Champions League in 2014, when they beat city rivals Atletico in the final.

The 43-year-old was one game away from securing a historic treble last season as the club looked to add the Europa League to their Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles, but Ademola Lookman scored a hat-trick in Dublin as Atalanta won the final 3-0.

Nevertheless, Alonso accomplished an incredible turnaround at the BayArena – when he was appointed in October 2022 Leverkusen were in the Bundesliga relegation zone after their worst start to a season since 1979.

After propelling them up the table in his debut season and earning European qualification, Alonso embarked on a 35-game Bundesliga unbeaten streak as the club won the first top-flight title in their history.

Alonso was strongly linked with a return to his former club Liverpool last summer, but opted to stay put in Germany.

He will now leave the club after the last game of the season at Mainz, with a move to the Bernabeu beckoning.