Xabi Alonso 'set to leave Bayer Leverkusen' after passing up Liverpool opportunity

Xabi Alonso will reportedly leave German champions Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024/25 campaign. The latest rumours say 'all roads point towards' the former Liverpool favourite taking over at Real Madrid, having earlier this year passed up the Anfield job.

Alonso's short time in management has seen him captivate the hearts of supporters in Leverkusen, just as he did with fans on Merseyside when playing for the Reds between 2004 and 2009. His job over in Germany had him take a club from second-bottom of the Bundesliga in October 2022 all the way to becoming invincible domestic double winners by the end of last term.

Naturally, this led to him being tipped to be the most suitable successor to Jurgen Klopp when the 57-year-old announced he was to depart Liverpool at the start of the year, though long before any announcement was expected Alonso had ruled himself out of the running to continue his own personal development in current surroundings.

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Although it would have been poetic, the Reds cannot have any qualms with how events actually unfolded. Arne Slot arrived once the former manager departed and a blistering opening to the new campaign - including a 4-0 Champions League home victory over Alonso's team - means they are only looking forwards.

Leverkusen on the other hand sit fourth in the Bundesliga after 10 matches, nine points off leaders Bayern Munich, and are sat in the Champions League's new Swiss model play-off spots. Their manager is currently contracted to oversee matters until the summer of 2026, however the latest rumour from Eurosport.es explains that Alonso has informed his squad he is to depart one year sooner than expected.

Bar a sudden catastrophe there is little reason to suggest Liverpool would need to replace their new man in charge next summer, whilst another of the elite clubs Alonso formerly played for, Bayern, evidently feel the same way about Vincent Kompany.

It by no means shuts the door on the Spaniard returning to these shores in the distant future, but at least at present the powers of deduction therefore mean Real Madrid - the club Alonso left Liverpool for all those years ago - is the natural next club for him.

Current boss at the Santiago Bernabeu, Carlo Ancelotti, is on course to leave the post when his contract expires at the same time Alonso would move on. The La Liga giants have also found themselves in somewhat of a crisis this season, trailing rivals Barcelona in their domestic league, have taken only six out of 12 available points in the Champions League - with Anfield their next stop on November 27. They also have numerous players out with long-term or season-ending injuries.

Alonso is lastly described as 'the chosen one' in Madrid, with Los Blancos not planning to act too hastily and fire Ancelotti in case it damages their chances of landing their top managerial target when the time comes.