In the fast-paced world of European football, few stories capture the imagination quite like the meteoric rise of Xabi Alonso. From orchestrating play on the field to masterminding victories from the dugout, Alonso has transitioned seamlessly into a managerial role that has caught the eye of some of the continent’s most storied clubs. The current Bayer Leverkusen manager, having steered the club to a Bundesliga title and the DFB Pokal last season, is now reportedly on the radar of Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain (PSG).
Stellar Record Sparks Interest
Under Alonso’s leadership, Leverkusen’s squad has blossomed, losing only one game across all competitions last season—against Atalanta in the Europa League final. This impressive performance has not gone unnoticed at Real Madrid, where the tenure of Carlo Ancelotti is being scrutinized amidst a less than satisfactory season. Ancelotti’s contract runs until 2026, yet rumors abound that Alonso could be set to take over as early as next summer.
Meanwhile, PSG, current Ligue 1 champions facing their own set of challenges, are also expressing keen interest in Alonso. The Parisian club’s disappointing 25th place standing in the Champions League after five games has intensified the scrutiny on current manager Luis Enrique. PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, running low on patience, sees Alonso as a prime candidate to turn around the team’s fortunes.
Leverkusen’s Reluctance to Let Go
Despite the growing interest from giants like Real Madrid and PSG, Bayer Leverkusen is eager to retain Alonso’s services. With a contract extending till 2026 and a remarkable win ratio of 65.14 percent—winning 71 out of 109 games—Alonso’s value at Leverkusen is indisputable. The club’s leadership is well aware of the strategic acumen Alonso brings, evidenced by his significant contributions to their recent successes.
Alonso’s Rich Legacy and Potential Future
Before venturing into management, Alonso enjoyed a distinguished playing career, most notably with Real Madrid, where he arrived from Liverpool in the summer of 2009 for a reported fee of £30 million. Over five seasons, he was pivotal in the club’s domestic and European campaigns, accumulating a total of 236 appearances, and securing multiple titles, including LaLiga and the Champions League. Alonso’s connection with Madrid is further deepened by the fact that his last playing season at the club was under Ancelotti’s management.
After hanging up his boots in 2017, Alonso briefly coached Real Madrid’s under-14s while completing his UEFA Elite coaching course. His tenure at Real Sociedad’s B-team further honed his managerial skills before his pivotal move to Leverkusen in October 2022.
As the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League progresses, all eyes will be on Alonso to see if he can maintain his impressive record and fend off the advances of Europe’s footballing powerhouses. Both Real Madrid and PSG present intriguing next steps in Alonso’s burgeoning coaching career, but for now, he remains a pivotal figure at Bayer Leverkusen. With the football world watching, Alonso’s next move could very well shape the future of European football.
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