Already next summer
Media: Bayer coach Xabi Alonso takes over Real Madrid
September 26, 2023, 1:35 p.m
The flirtation between Real Madrid and Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso is apparently heating up. “Radio Marca” reports that the former Spanish world and European champion has a great chance of taking over as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor at Los Blancos from the summer.
Bayer Leverkusen is one of the big attractions of the Bundesliga season. With top talent Florian Wirtz and storm discovery Victor Boniface, the team plays on an equal footing with FC Bayern. Both in the table and in direct duels. Bayer has been led by Spaniard Xabi Alonso for almost exactly a year. The 41-year-old, who has won everything as a player, including becoming world and European champions, has given the Werkself an exciting and rousing game idea. And is already considered a man who will be trusted by the big clubs in the future. FC Bayern, among others, should closely follow the path of its ex-player. However, the record champions have no need for a top coach in Thomas Tuchel for the time being.
The situation is different at Real Madrid, also a former club of Alonso. Legend Carlo Ancelotti will stop there next summer. The successor has not yet been clarified. Or is it? A rumor from “Radio Marca” is making big headlines. According to the report, the once brilliant midfield strategist is set to take over the Royals in 2024. Matías Prats, journalist at “Radio Marca”, says: “The favorite to succeed Ancelotti is Xabi Alonso. I have no doubt that he will become coach of Real Madrid. That’s not a feeling, it’s a conviction. As of today, Madrid has selected Xabi Alonso as coach for next year.”
Alonso was already considered the top candidate at his former club in the spring. But then before the start of the season he extended his contract, which runs until 2024, by two years. But according to information from “Bild”, it was agreed in the contract talks that Bayer would not insist on the contract until 2026 if a global club like Real asked. Leverkusen boss Fernando Carro recently said about his coach in a one-two on Sport1: “He lives in the present and is fully with us. He knows that a coach depends on what the team can achieve.” Bayer “delivered” by strengthening the team before this season.
“He is a coach who has won everything as a player and knows what it takes to be successful. He has the desire – as he did as a player – also as a coach, to have the game under control,” Carro emphasized. Alonso is one of the most dazzling figures in Spanish football; he also wore the Real jersey and played a total of 236 games (six goals) for the Madrilenians between 2009 and 2014.