Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will leave Bayer Leverkusen this summer.

The former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder, 43, won the Bundesliga title with Leverkusen last season, going unbeaten, and lost in the Europa League final to Atalanta.

Alonso was courted by both of his former clubs but elected to stay, with Liverpool instead appointing Arne Slot, who has taken them to the Premier League title.

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More than a coach – a legend ????❤️

Thank you for everything, Xabi! pic.twitter.com/1Q4StFC9PM

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 9, 2025

He is widely expected to replace Carlo Ancelotti at the Bernabeu this summer, with Leverkusen cutting short his existing contract, which was due to run until the summer of 2026.

He said on Friday: “This is the right moment to announce it. Clarity is good for everyone.

“But now is not the day to talk about the future.”

Ancelotti is under contract until the end of next season, but he is widely expected to be leaving after a campaign in which Madrid struggled despite adding Kylian Mbappe.

Real face rivals Barcelona on Sunday, trailing by four points and needing a victory to keep alive their La Liga title defence.