Xabi Alonso: Bayer Leverkusen CEO confirms future Real Madrid move

Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has revealed he has "no doubt" Xabi Alonso will manage Real Madrid one day.

Alonso joined Leverkusen in October 2022 with the club mired in the Bundesliga relegation zone, but a spirited debut season saw them earn a sixth-place finish and qualification to the Europa League.

Now into the Spaniard's first full season, Leverkusen have already wrapped up the Bundesliga title - the first in the club's history - and remain the last unbeaten side in Europe, still going strong in the Europa League and DFB Pokal.

Alonso's heroics saw him linked to the jobs at former clubs Liverpool and Bayern Munich, but he has opted to stay at Leverkusen for at least another year.

In an interview with Cadena SER, Leverkusen chief Carro insisted while Alonso could yet manage these sides in the future, he is destined to coach Real Madrid.

"I have no doubts. One day, Xabi Alonso will be Real Madrid manager. No doubts at all, zero doubts!" Carro said.

"What I am not clear about is when, but that he will end up at Real Madrid I have no doubt, as it is also possible that he trains Liverpool or Bayern."

The current manager of Madrid is Alonso's former boss Carlo Ancelotti, who signed a new contract running until the summer of 2026 earlier this season.

Los Blancos have been busy building a squad to challenge for major honours for years to come, forming a young core featuring the likes of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Aurelien Tchouameni and Eduardo Camavinga. They are also expected to sign Kylian Mbappe from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, while Bayern left-back Alphonso Davies is also a key target.

Meanwhile, Liverpool and Bayern are continuing their respective searches for new managers after learning of Alonso's decision to stay at Leverkusen.

Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim is a top contender for the job at Anfield, while the German media have recently played up a sensational return for Julian Nagelsmann to the Allianz Arena.

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