Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso has announced he will leave the club at the end of the season, but he did not comment on reports linking him with Real Madrid.

Berlin (dpa) – “This week the club and I, we have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as Bayer Leverkusen coach,” Xabi Alonso told a news conference on Friday.

The Spaniard has been heavily linked in the media with a move to his ex-club Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti’s position as Madrid coach is unclear.

Alonso won a league and cup double in Germany last season without losing a match and was heavily courted last May, with reports saying former clubs Bayern Munich and Liverpool were interested. Media also speculated that Alonso had a contract clause allowing him to leave for a club he played for.

Instead, he committed himself to Leverkusen but has now opted to leave after losing the Bundesliga title to Bayern last weekend.

“It is a moment with mixed emotions. It is the moment not to talk too much and not to talk about the future. We want to have a proper farewell on Sunday,” he added.

Leverkusen host Borussia Dortmund on Sunday and finish the league season on May 17 at Mainz.

“I have talked this morning with the players, with the staff, with so many people that have helped me during these unbelievable, fantastic three years,” Alonso added.

“Now it is the moment to share it as well on Sunday especially with the fans in this stadium where I have lived great, great emotions, where I have become what I am right now. I have to be thankful to everyone.”

Former Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag has been among those linked in the media with replacing Alonso at Leverkusen.

Already at Madrid for Club World Cup?

Spanish newspaper Marca reported on Friday that Alonso is expected to sign a three-year contract at Madrid and will also take his assistants Sebas Parrilla and Alberto Encinas with him.

Marca is seen as a media outlet close to Madrid.

Wider media reports say Madrid and Ancelotti have already decided to go their separate ways after the Champions League quarter-final exit.

An announcement could come after the Clásico against Barcelona on Sunday if Madrid lose and the Catalans are near certain of the title.

It is still unclear who will be on the Madrid touchline during the Club World Cup in June.

One option could be the director of professional football, Santiago Solari. Alonso would then take over for the new season or Leverkusen could even allow him to begin at Madrid as soon as possible.

Alonso, who has a contract with Leverkusen until 2026, had repeatedly avoided questions about his future in recent weeks.

Leverkusen had earlier confirmed that defender Jonathan Tah would be leaving the club at the end of the campaign with his contract running out. The Germany centre back had already signalled his exit.

Source: dpa.com