Xabi Alonso has been linked to the top job at the Santiago Bernabeu, and Leverkusen have an agreement with him on the matter
Bayer Leverkusen are prepared to lose manager Xabi Alonso as he continues to be linked to Real Madrid as the successor to Carlo Ancelotti. The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder joined the club as manager in 2022 on an initial one-and-a-half year contract, before signing a new one to keep him there until 2026.
Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has said that the club have a “gentleman’s agreement” with the 43-year-old that would allow him to leave for one of his former clubs, including Real Madrid, should they express interest.
“In a few weeks, we’ll know if there’s a coaching change at our clubs,” Carro told reporters, “but the fact is that we’re a very professional club and we have to be prepared for anything.
“From the moment we signed Xabi, we knew he was going to be a great coach, and from the moment you sign one, you have to prepare others. His signing wasn’t just a one-off. First, we signed him for a year and a half until 2024, and then until 2026.
“By signing him until 2026, we had confidence he’d stay. We can sleep peacefully, have a good breakfast, and be prepared for any eventuality. We have a gentleman’s agreement, and if a team he’s played for comes along, we can sit down.”
Alonso has led Bayer Leverkusen to significant successes, including an unbeaten Bundesliga title, the first in the club’s history, that saw him end Bayern Munich’s 11-year reign as champions.
“We’ve been working together for almost three years,” Carro added, “and we’re aware that in football, changes can occur at a club that affect others. We’re not naive, but the truth is that the coach is important, and that’s why we’re preparing next season’s team with him.
“He’s fully involved and integrated into the preparations. If, in the end, there’s interest from another club and he’s interested, we have a relationship that would have to be discussed. It’s not our wish, but we’re clear that the decision has to be made within three or four weeks; we can’t wait until the end of the season.”
Alonso told the club last year that he would stay despite rumours linking him to the Real Madrid and Liverpool jobs, the latter after Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he was leaving Anfield. Leverkusen have made it clear that they will have discussions with Alonso whenever he is ready to discuss his future.
“There’s an excellent relationship, and if there’s something to talk about, we’ll talk,” said Carro. “Xabi’s willingness is important. He respects us, and we respect him.”
