Xabi Alonso announces departure from Bayer Leverkusen

Xabi Alonso has confirmed he will be leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season.

The 43-year-old, who led the club to their first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023/24 season, as well as securing the German double during an unbeaten domestic campaign, made the announcement ahead of Sunday’s home match against Borussia Dortmund.

This will be Alonso’s final game at Leverkusen’s BayArena, giving him the opportunity to bid farewell to the club’s supporters in person.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐫.

More than a coach – a legend 🖤❤️

Thank you for everything, Xabi! pic.twitter.com/1Q4StFC9PM
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) May 9, 2025

“This week, the club and I have agreed these will be my last two games as Leverkusen coach,” Alonso said at his press conference on Friday.

“This is the right moment to announce it because we have always had this good communication with the club.”

Alonso met with Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro and sporting director Simon Rolfes this week, during which he confirmed his decision to leave the Bundesliga club.

His final match in charge will be away at Mainz on May 17. The announcement comes after Bayern Munich secured the league title, finishing ahead of second-placed Leverkusen.

Alonso added: “We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions, it is emotional! I spoke to the players and the staff it was not easy.

“We’ve had a great connection and that’s been the key. They believed in me and they’ve followed me. I want to have a proper goodbye this weekend.

“It has been a long, meaningful and successful time here at this club. I want to give the respect (they have shown me) back, until the very last day.”

“Together with Xabi Alonso, we have written a success story just through winning the league title without defeat in a way not seen in German football,” said Werner Wenning, chair of the shareholders committee at Bayer 04.

“He was an outstanding ambassador at all times as coach both for our club as well as for the whole Bundesliga. Therefore, we are very grateful to Xabi Alonso.”