Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has announced that he is set to leave the club at the end of the season.
The former Real Madrid midfielder has been linked with a return to the club as a coach with Carlo Ancelotti expected to leave at the end of the season.
Alonso has now confirmed that the last two games of the season will be his last at Bayer Leverkusen.
He said: “This week the club and I have agreed that these two games are going to be my last as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” Alonso said on Friday.
“It is not a moment to talk too much about the future because we want to have a proper farewell on Sunday here for some players, for myself, and it is the right moment to announce it.
“We have to enjoy this moment with mixed emotions. It is emotional, I spoke this morning with the players, the staff, so many people who have helped me during an unbelievable, fantastic three years.
“Now is a moment to share it with the fans in this stadium where I have lived great emotions and become what I am right now.”
Alonso led Bayer Leverkusen to the Bundesliga title unbeaten last season and also to the finals of the German Cup, which they won but lost out to Atalanta in the Europa League final.
Alonso started his coaching career with Real Madrid’s Under-14 side in 2018 before taking charge of Real Sociedad’s B team.
