JAKARTA - Xabi Alonso is waiting, like everyone else, to see who will coach Real Madrid next season.
The Spaniard said on Friday, May 2, 2025, local time that he knew nothing new about his future amid ties with his former club.
However, he understands why uncertainty continues and no decision has yet been made.
"I respect what happened at another club. It's not a situation I need to talk about."
"I know that they (Real Madrid) are in the season stage where they are still fighting for the championship. We also have our goals. The season is not over yet. So, we have to wait," said the Bayer Leverkusen coach.
Alonso is widely expected to return to Real Madrid - where he played from 2009-2014 - and take over if current coach Carlo Ancelotti leaves at the end of the season.
The 65-year-old Italian's contract with Real Madrid is in effect for another season, but he has been approached by the Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) after a disappointing season for the Spanish giants so far.
Los Blancos were knocked out by Arsenal in the Champions League quarter-finals, losing in the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona's tough rival last weekend, and four points behind the Catalan club with five games remaining in La Liga.
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They will meet again with Barcelona on May 11, 2025 in the La Liga party.
According to an ESPN report this week, there is still a deadlock between Ancelotti and Real Madrid over the way and time of his departure from Bernabeu, which needs to be completed before he can accept jobs in Brazil.
Alonso, who took over Leverkusen when they were in the Bundesliga relegation zone in October 2022, led the team to a German doubles and Cup (DFB Pokal) title last season, which had never happened before in the club's history.
In addition, no other team has ever finished the Bundesliga season unbeaten.
The decline in performance levels may be inevitable. Leverkusen was surprised by third division team Arminia Bielefeld, in the semifinals of the DFB Pokal and appears to be watching Bayern Munich lift the league trophy on Saturday, May 3, 2025.
Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro and Sports Director Simon totaled that Alonso would like to complete his contract until next season.
However, they also identified a replacement candidate with Kicker Magazine reported on Friday, May 2, 2025, that former Manchester United and Ajax coach Erik ten Hag had emerged as favorites.
The club has also been linked with Barcelona's former coach, Xavi Hernandez.
"We haven't talked about it yet. We spoke, Fernando was there. We talked about some problems in the morning and there were always good relationships and communications."
"We all get information about everything and there's never been a problem for us."
"We remain calm. We will wait until the right time until something has to be decided," Alonso said of his replacement candidate.
The 43-year-old added that he was not concerned about any speculation.
"I remain calm. I know you are expected to have something new at every press conference, but that's not my job."
"My job is to prepare a team for every game. That's all I can say," he said.
Leverkusen will travel against Freiburg in the 32nd week of the Bundesliga, Sunday, May 4, 2025, western Indonesia time.
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