Xabi Alonso has officially announced that he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024–25 season, bringing to a close one of the most remarkable chapters in the club’s history. Speaking ahead of their final home game against Borussia Dortmund, Alonso described the decision as one made with clarity, emotion, and deep gratitude.
“These will be my last two games with the team,” Alonso said during a heartfelt press conference. “It’s the right time to part ways.”
Alonso’s impact at Leverkusen has been nothing short of transformational. When he arrived in October 2022, the club was languishing near the Bundesliga’s relegation zone. He steered them to a sixth-place finish and a Europa League semi-final in his debut season. What followed was a historic 2023–24 campaign: an unbeaten run to the Bundesliga title the club’s first and a DFB-Pokal triumph. Despite a Europa League final loss to Atalanta, Alonso’s side went 51 matches unbeaten in all competitions, a record across Europe’s top leagues.
While the current season didn’t replicate last year’s heights, Leverkusen still secured a second-place finish and reached the Champions League round of 16, a sign of consistent top-level performance. Alonso leaves with the highest win percentage (65%) and points-per-game ratio (2.2) in club history, along with a record 33-match unbeaten away streak in the Bundesliga.
“I want to enjoy every final moment,” Alonso said, emphasizing the bond he’s shared with the club, players, and fans. “We’ve walked the right path together. This journey has shaped who I am.”
Speculation now swirls around Alonso’s next destination, with many touting him as a natural successor to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. A former Madrid star and Champions League winner as a player, Alonso’s potential return to the Santiago Bernabéu in a managerial role seems increasingly likely.
Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes praised Alonso’s legacy, calling his tenure “a milestone in the club’s development.” As Alonso prepares to bid farewell, the football world watches closely, knowing his next step may again reshape the game.
His final match at BayArena promises to be a poignant one, as fans prepare to honor the coach who turned hope into history.
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