Xabi Alonso has said he will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season ahead of his expected return to Real Madrid as head coach.
The Spaniard confirmed his widely anticipated exit in a press conference ahead of Sunday's final home game of the season against Borussia Dortmund, which will now become a send-off for Leverkusen's departing coach.
Alonso, who won nearly everything as a player at Real Madrid, is set to take over from his old boss Carlo Ancelotti, reports Sky in Germany, with Leverkusen agreeing to release him from his contract a year early.
"This week, the club and I have agreed that these are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach," said Alonso, whose side conceded their Bundesliga title to Bayern Munich last weekend.
"This is a moment with mixed emotions. This is not a moment to talk about the future.
"We want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, myself. It was the right moment to announce it."
Alonso has emerged as one of the brightest coaching prospects in Europe since taking over at Leverkusen in 2022 and was the favourite to take over at former club Liverpool after Jurgen Klopp's exit before Arne Slot was appointed.
Leverkusen won a league and cup double last season under Alonso, the first Bundesliga title in the club's history, falling just short of a remarkable unbeaten treble with defeat to Atalanta in the Europa League final.
The German club's decision to terminate Alonso's contract, initially due to run until the summer of 2026, would allow the Spaniard to join Real Madrid for free.
Alonso is reluctant to discuss his future plans until after the final game of the season away to Mainz on May 17.
He added: "When the season is wrapped, then it will be the moment for the next thing. Not the moment for that."
Guardiola: Alonso's impact at Leverkusen unbelievable
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola paid tribute to his former midfielder Alonso following the news he will be leaving Leverkusen.
"The impact on Leverkusen has been unbelievable," he said of Alonso's work. "All the managers who have had the pleasure to have him as a player realised he'd be a manager.
"Going to Germany to fight face to face with Bayern, that is always so difficult. Last season unbeaten, except the last game against Atalanta in the Europa League final.
"The way they play and improve the players, they should be so proud of this partnership they had for two-three years."
Ancelotti appears set to depart Real Madrid
Ancelotti looks set to depart Real Madrid at the end of this season, just a year after winning the Champions League and LaLiga - and with the Spanish champions still fighting to retain their title.
With four games to go, Real Madrid are four points behind leaders Barcelona, who they travel to face on Sunday in a huge game for the title race.
Ancelotti's talks to become the next Brazil head coach are back on, Sky Sports News reported earlier this week.
Negotiations had stalled last week, with Real Madrid president Florentino Perez in no rush to let him leave given Ancelotti is under contract until 2026 and the club can still win LaLiga.
Sources have told Sky Sports News that positive signs now point to a decision being communicated early next week.
The Brazilian FA (CBF) are still waiting for a final answer from Ancelotti - but CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues has said that the new head coach will be announced "soon".
