Real Madrid and Manchester City put on red alert as Bayer Leverkusen make Xabi Alonso decision: Reports
Real Madrid and Manchester City are reportedly on high alert as Xabi Alonso could leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the ongoing season. After winning the Bundesliga with Leverkusen last season, the Spaniard decided to remain in Germany despite interest from Liverpool this summer.
As per a report in Sky Germany by Florian Plettenberg, Alonso is a candidate at both clubs as the futures of Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola hang in the balance. Both managers have not revealed their plans for next season, while the Spaniard is also keeping his options open.
Ancelotti has another season on his contract at Real Madrid. However, the Italian tactician was supposed to retire at the end of the 2023/24 season but extended for two more years despite interest from Brazil FA.
Guardiola is in the final year of his deal and the manager has not signed an extension. He has insisted that a decision has not been made, but Alonso has now been linked with the hot seat at Etihad.
The Spaniard was quizzed about a move to the Premier League as a manager and said earlier this year:
"You never know… At the moment I have enough on my plate to think about, but I'm still young as a coach and for sure it's a nice opportunity."
Liverpool are out of the race, as per The Atheltic, as they are happy with Arne Slot. The Dutchman took over from Jurgen Klopp this summer and the Reds are flying high in the league.
Xabi Alonso rejected Real Madrid and Liverpool earlier this year
Xabi Alonso reportedly had interest from Real Madrid, and Liverpool earlier this year but the Spaniard decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen for another season. The manager claimed that he was not done with the job in hand at the Bundesliga club despite going unbeaten the whole season and winning the league title.
Alonso said:
"My job at Bayer is not over. I want to help the club, help the players to develop, the board is great… it's all fantastic here. I'm still [a] young coach but I think this is the best decision for my future. I took my time and I'm sure about that. I'm grateful to Bayer and the board, the players, the fans. I feel that this is the best way, to continue together. I have also informed the players, it's true. My deadline was this week, it's [a] matter of respect. Now everything is clear."
He added:
"I'm not gonna comment about Liverpool or Bayern. These are big clubs and I've strong links with them but I'm in the place where I want to be. It's not time to decide my future now, I want to develop at Bayer Leverkusen."
Bayern Munich were also linked with the Real Madrid target after they decided to part ways with Thomas Tuchel. The Bavarians ended up appointing Vincent Kompany in the summer.