Three Managers Who Could Replace Xabi Alonso At Bayer Leverkusen
Get ready for the ‘here we go’ announcement from Fabrizio Romano. For a change, Marca was the one breaking the news of the next destination of Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso – Real Madrid. Los Blancos’ plans for the 2025-26 season have taken a significant step, while for defending Bundesliga Champions Bayer Leverkusen, it will be a search operation.
At Real Madrid, manager Carlo Ancelotti’s future became the subject of intense speculation following the team’s exit from the UCL at the hands of Arsenal. The Italian manager is said to be in negotiations with the Men’s Brazilian national team to become their next coach. Xavi Alonso will once again enter the Madrid doors after the season concludes.
Xabi Alonso has notified Bayer Leverkusen of his decision to join Real Madrid at the end of the Champions League in July. The German club is ready with the options with a month-long period to go through the options. Sky Sports’ Florian Plettenberg mentioned names that the German side is considering for the managerial post.
Bayer Leverkusen Looking at Experienced Manager Who Could Replace Xabi Alonso
Sky Sports report mentions that Bayer Leverkusen has names like the former Manchester United manager Erik Ten Hag, Cesc Fabregas from Como, and the Former FC Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez shortlisted.
Also Read: How much Trent Alexander-Arnold will earn at Real Madrid? Check Star Defender’s Salary at Los Blancos.
Erik Ten Haag – Manchester United or Ajax Form to be considered?
The former Manchester United manager, who has been without a job since his sacking by Manchester United in October 2024, was first linked to the Leverkusen job in April. His time at Manchester United produced mixed fortunes, winning the Carabao Cup and the FA Cup while qualifying for the Champions League.
He prides his Coaching philosophy on attacking football, which his Ajax side demonstrated en route to the semi-finals of the Champions League in the 2019 season, along with winning 3 League titles in the Dutch league. Leverkusen, though, may be discouraged by the Salary demands of a coach who earned 9 million pounds a year before he was dismissed by the Old Trafford outfit.
Cesc Fabregas – Looking to Repeat Como Magic?
A mercurial midfielder in his playing days has now transitioned into coaching and has impressed in his early coaching career, helping Como finish second in Serie B, gaining promotion to Serie A all within a year. Goalkeeper Pepe Reina, who is 4 years older than his manager Cesc Fabregas, describes him as a Pragmatist who is exceptional at communicating his ideas and will become a top manager.
Como has ensured its stay in Serie A for another season with 4 games to spare, and they have Cesc Fabregas largely to thank for that with a fresh attacking brand of football that places Emphasis on the ability of the players.
Playing a 4-2-3-1 system, he accumulates an average of 1.25 points per match, which is impressive for a club supposedly meant to struggle in its first season back in the Serie A. Bayern Leverkusen are not the only German side hot on the heels of the Spaniard, with Leipzig heavily linked and hopeful of convincing him to join at the Red Bull Arena.
Fabregas, along with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, are minority shareholders at the club, and it is believed his close ties to the club and desire to see it compete and succeed will prove difficult to lure him away from the club.
Also Read: What Cesc Fabregas Has Done at Como Needs To Be Talked About.
Xavi Hernandez – Time to redefine his Managerial Career
The former Barcelona coach, just like Erik Ten Hag, is currently out of a job since his dismissal in May 2024. Xavi only recently revealed he would be open to managing a team again with a “Good Project for 4 years”. His preference is the English Premier League, but Leverkusen presents an impressive, well-run club, and Xabi Alonso appears to have laid down a Model any incoming manager will be happy to build on.
According to the reports, Xavi has already rejected offers from clubs in the Middle East, and unlike Cesc Fabregas, who Como will demand a compensation fee before parting with, Xavi will come at a moderate fee. His salary demands are better suited to the English Premier League, seeing that he earned 10 million euros before Barcelona parted ways with the Spaniard.
The Bayer Leverkusen might well be searching for a few more new recruits as Marca reports that Alonso will also arrive with his assistant Sebas Parrilla and Physical trainer Alberto Encinas, which could signal the end for current physical trainer Antonio Pintus, who is an employee of the Spanish Giants. But, Real Madrid has insisted on having the final say on transfers, and Xabi Alonso accepted.
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