Champions League

Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid: Alonso Breaks Silence on Potential Move

Xabi Alonso has poured cold water on suggestions he could take over as Real Madrid’s manager next season. The 41-year-old former Los Blancos icon has seen his managerial profile soar, courtesy of his successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen. As a result, Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid rumours began to get traction.

Alonso was strongly tipped to join Liverpool last summer but chose to stay with Bayer Leverkusen after guiding them to their first-ever Bundesliga title. Meanwhile, the Reds haven’t missed a beat, with Arne Slot adapting effortlessly to life at Anfield.

Rumours of a dramatic return to the Bernabeu are gathering pace as whispers grow that Carlo Ancelotti may be planning to depart at the end of the season, potentially for an overseas adventure.

Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid: What Alonso Said

However, Alonso remains grounded and has reiterated his commitment to Leverkusen. “Already questions on Real Madrid? ! [laughs] Time goes by but the affection remains,” the former Real Madrid midfielder said during his press conference ahead of Bayer’s Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

“Our bond is very strong, that is clear but my total focus is on Bayer Leverkusen now, that’s in my mind. Real Madrid rumors? I’m calm. I have enough things to worry about, it’s not on my mind right now.”

Having spent five years as a player at Real Madrid and started his managerial journey at the club’s academy, Alonso is in Madrid to lead Bayer Leverkusen in their Champions League encounter with Atletico Madrid on Tuesday.

Alonso, a former midfielder, joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in 2009, where he won the Champions League, La Liga, and two Copa del Rey titles before moving to Bayern Munich in 2014.

After hanging up his boots, Alonso coached Madrid’s under-14s for a season, then took charge of Real Sociedad’s reserve side before moving to Bayer Leverkusen, where he led them to an unbeaten Bundesliga title in 2023-24.

Alonso’s Leverkusen are positioned second in the Bundesliga, four points behind Bayern Munich, and fourth in the Champions League rankings as they prepare for Tuesday’s clash with Atletico.

Is Ancelotti Leaving Real Madrid?

Spanish radio station Onda Cero reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources, that Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti has chosen to leave the club when the season ends.

Now in his second tenure at the Bernabeu, the Italian guided Real Madrid to an impressive treble last season, featuring their record-extending 15th Champions League and 36th La Liga triumphs.

The retirement of Toni Kroos and the possible integration of Kylian Mbappé, along with other factors, have contributed to a season with its fair share of challenges, including unexpected losses in both competitions.

Despite suffering a 5-2 loss to archrivals FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final earlier this month, Madrid sit two points clear at the top of La Liga and remain in contention for both the Champions League and Copa del Rey.

Following the thrashing by Barcelona, Ancelotti faced boos from the fans as Madrid began their 5-2 victory over Celta Vigo in the cup, but he chose to shrug off the criticism.