Xabi Alonso leaves Bayer Leverkusen as a club legend after only two full seasons in charge. Despite being under contract until the summer of 2026, Alonso bid farewell to Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024–25 season to return to the Spanish capital.

Xabi Alonso will take over as Real Madrid coach from June 1, the Spanish club has confirmed. The former midfield star returns after leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic domestic treble.

The 65-year-old Ancelotti is departing after four mostly successful seasons with Madrid. He bid a tearful farewell on Saturday in the team’s final match of the Spanish league season. Ancelotti’s contract was to end at the end of next season, but the club confirmed his departure on Friday after he had already been announced as the next Brazil coach.