Leverkusen Xabi Alonso Breaks Silence on Real Madrid Links

‎Xabi Alonso is awaiting news, just like everyone else, regarding who will coach Real Madrid next season.

‎The Spanish manager stated on Friday that he has “nothing new” to update about his own future amid ongoing rumors linking him to his former club.

‎He also acknowledged the ongoing uncertainty and explained that no decisions have yet been made.

‎”I respect what happens in other clubs,” the Bayer Leverkusen coach said.

‎”It’s not a situation that I need to talk about. I know that they’re at a stage in the season in which they’re still fighting for the championship, and we also have our goals. The season isn’t over, so we must wait.”

‎Alonso is widely expected to return to Madrid, where he played from 2009 to 2014, and potentially take over if Carlo Ancelotti departs at the end of the season.

‎Ancelotti, who is 65 years old, still has a contract with Madrid for another year.

‎However, he is being approached by the Brazilian Football Confederation amid a disappointing season for the Spanish club.

‎Madrid was eliminated by Arsenal in the Champions League quarterfinals and lost the Copa del Rey final to Barcelona last weekend. They are currently four points behind Barcelona with five La Liga matches remaining.

‎The two teams will face each other again in Barcelona on May 11.

‎It was reported this week that there remains a stand-off between Ancelotti and Madrid over the manner and timing of his departure from the club, which needs to be resolved before he can accept the Brazil job.

‎Alonso, who took over Leverkusen when they were in the Bundesliga’s relegation zone in October 2022, led the team to an unprecedented German league and cup double last season. No other side has ever completed a Bundesliga season unbeaten.

‎A decline in performance was perhaps inevitable. Leverkusen was caught off guard by third-division team Arminia Bielefeld in the German Cup semifinals and now seems to witness Bayern Munich clinch the league title on Saturday.

‎Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro and sporting director Simon Rolfes are eager for Alonso to complete his contract next season.

‎However, they are also exploring potential replacements, with Kicker magazine reporting on Friday that former Manchester United and Ajax coach Erik ten Hag has become the leading candidate. The club has also been linked with former Barcelona coach Xavi.

‎”We haven’t spoken about that,” Alonso said of his possible successor. “We speak, Fernando is there. We spoke about a few issues in the morning and there’s always a good connection and communication.

‎We’re all informed about everything and there’s never a problem for us. We’re staying calm. We’ll wait until the right moment until there’s something to decide.”

‎The 43-year-old coach added he isn’t concerning himself with any of the speculation.

‎”I’m staying calm. I know you’re expected to have something new at every press conference, but that’s not my job. It’s to prepare the team for every game. That’s all I can say.”

‎Leverkusen play at Freiburg in the Bundesliga on Sunday.