Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid or Man City? The state of play

Tom Weber

• Updated: 21 Oct 2024 18:05 BST
• 3 min read

Bayer Leverkusen are preparing for Xabi Alonso's 2025 departure, according to German media.

The Basque remains Europe's most in-demand coaching commodity after his historic 2023/24 season with Bayer 04. The domestic double-winners overcame a spirited Eintracht Frankfurt at the weekend to get back in the groove after a shock draw with promoted Holstein Kiel before the international break.

Leverkusen find themselves only in fourth in the Bundesliga standings right now, having lost their incredible unbeaten streak against RB Leipzig earlier in the season. Alonso's side boasted one of the best defences in Europe last term, but this has been an area of concern so far in this campaign.

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Still, Bayer remain one of the continent's most exciting and impressive teams, thanks to the 42-year-old tactician and club bosses Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes. This means that Alonso's stocks are as high as ever and a summer exit is looking increasingly likely.

Alonso to leave Leverkusen: The state of play

At least that is according to Sky Germany, which reports that Leverkusen bosses are preparing for life after Alonso. The German outlet confirms reports from elsewhere that Real Madrid and Man City are credible destinations for him.

Carlo Ancelotti, like Alonso, is under contract until 2026, but the Leverkusen boss continues to be frequently linked with his former club. In Manchester, meanwhile, City are forced to think about the future, with Pep Guardiola out of contract and insisting that he has yet to make a final decision.

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Rolfes has had a list of potential replacements at the ready since the spring, when Alonso was the subject of interest from Liverpool and Bayern Munich, and two names have now been revealed in the above-mentioned report.

Among the options under consideration are VfB Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeneß and Germany assistant Sandro Wagner. The former finished runner-up to Bayer with his side last season, while the latter is one of the most highly-rated up-and-coming coaches in the country.

Prior to joining Julian Nagelsmann's staff, ex-Bayern striker Wagner led Unterhaching back into the third division of German football after several years in the semi-professional fourth tier.