Xabi Alonso has yet to decide whether he will remain Bayer Leverkusen coach for next season.
The former Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder was linked with jobs at all three clubs last summer before pledging to stay at the BayArena but, 12 months on, he was not as clear when asked about his future.
With Arne Slot and Vincent Kompany both relatively new to their roles at Liverpool and Bayern, respectively, and also performing well with both clubs on the brink of landing their domestic titles, Madrid was the most talked-about destination for Alonso this summer.
But the 43-year-old was giving nothing away and says his focus is on finishing the season well with Leverkusen as they look to defend the Bundesliga crown they won for the first time last season.
Speculation in Spain suggested Alonso would announce his decision today ahead of tomorrow night’s home game with Bochum, but he said: “There was nothing to decide.
“The situation is different. One year ago there was something to decide, but now there is nothing, that’s the big difference.
“I already said that our focus, mine and that of all the players, is [on] what we have. We must not think too far [ahead]. We go game by game. Individually [that’s my interest] too.”
Asked if there was a deadline for him to decide, he added: “No, no. My thoughts are the same. I said [I’m] focused on this season, that’s the most important thing. We are in an important phase. We don’t want to speculate, we don’t want to think about [anything] but football. Therfore, it’s clear what we want.”
According to #Alonso, April is a very intense phase of the league. "Anything can happen!"
🔜 #B04BOC | #Bayer04 | @CocaCola pic.twitter.com/5otIYl0WKd
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) March 27, 2025
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Brazil’s pursuit of Ancelotti could complicate matters
While Carlo Ancelotti remains at the Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid president Florentino Perez will be relatively relaxed but that situation could change if Brazil step up their interest in the Italian.
The Brazilian Football Association is believed to have scheduled a meeting to discuss the future of Dorival Junior following the Selecao’s 4-1 hammering by Argentina in World Cup qualifying on Tuesday and reports suggest they want Ancelotti to take over at the end of the season to give him plenty of time to make his mark before next summer’s World Cup.
Should that scenario play out then Madrid could test Alonso’s resolve to see out his contract at Leverkusen that runs until June 2026.
Guti wants Alonso in Madrid
Former Madrid midfielder Guti believes Alonso is the best man for the job at the European champions.
He told El Chiringuito: “Is Xabi Alonso the successor to Ancelotti? He is, he is, without a doubt.
“I think what he did in Germany last year shows he could be able to do it at Real Madrid. We are talking about a Leverkusen team that had not won anything for years, it had never won the Bundesliga.
“Let’s give him the opportunity.”
