Xabi Alonso Has Easy Klausul To Go, Can Return To Real Madrid And Liverpool

JAKARTA - Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro said the club had an official deal with head coach Xabi Alonso meaning he could leave the team to take over one of the clubs he has played for, including Real Madrid and Liverpool, if he wants to.

Alonso's future and it is likely that he will replace Carlo Ancelotti this summer has become a growing subject of speculation after the elimination of Real Madrid from the Champions League quarter-finals as well as poor performances in La Liga this season.

"In a few weeks, we will know if there is a change in coaches at our club. However, the fact is we are a very professional club."

"We have to be ready for anything. Since we signed Xabi, we know he will be a great coach."

"Since you signed him, you have to prepare for something else. The recruitment is not just once."

"First, we recruited him for a year and a half until 2024 and then until 2026."

"By recruiting him until 2026, we are sure he will survive. We can sleep well, enjoy a delicious breakfast, and prepare for everything possible."

"We have a good deal. If the team he has played for comes, we can sit down together," said Carro on Monday, April 21, 2025, local time.

Alonso played for Real Sociedad, Eibar (on loan), Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich during his playing career.

The former Real Madrid midfielder has been Bayer Leverkusen's head coach since October 2022.

He has led the always underperforming team from the bottom-ranked team to unbeaten Bundesliga champions last season.

Under his tutelage, Leverkusen has also raised DFB-Pokal, DFL-Supercup, and finished runner-up in the Europa League, where they lost in the final against Atalanta.

Alonso was also heavily linked to a job at Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp's surprise resignation in January 2024, but he chose to stay at Leverkusen.

Meanwhile, the Merseyside club appointed Arne Slot as manager.

In Alonso's third season on duty, Leverkusen is eight points behind leaders Bayern Munich with four games remaining. They were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern Munich in the round of 16.

Carro said he wanted Leverkusen to complete the rest of Alonso's contract. In fact, the club wants to extend the agreement that will be in effect until the end of next season.

"We've been working together for almost three years. We realize that in football, changes can occur in clubs affecting others."

"We weren't naive, but in reality the coach was important, and that's why we're preparing a team next season with him."

"He is fully and integrated in preparation. If in the end there is interest from other clubs and he is interested, we have a relationship that must be discussed."

"That's not what we wanted, but we are clear that a decision must be made within three or four weeks."

"We can't wait until the end of the season. I want Real Madrid to win everything so there won't be any discussion like this," said Carro again.

Carro said Alonso's willingness to continue to duo in Leverkusen's manager chair would be the center of discussion about his future.

"Last year, during the international break, he assured us that he would survive, despite offers."

"This year we gave ourselves time to make decisions. We are very calm and there is not much more to say."

"Our relationship is very good. If there is something to talk about, we will talk about it. Xabi's availability is important. He respects us and we respect him," said Carro.