What Alonso announcement means for Madrid, Ancelotti, Fabregas and Como | OneFootball

Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen have announced that head coach Xabi Alonso has an agreement with the club to terminate his contract at the end of the 2024-25 season, which looks to bring the end of Carlo Ancelotti’s reign at Real Madrid, and could see Como head coach Cesc Fabregas head to Germany in a domino effect.

Bayer Leverkusen have confirmed that they will allow Alonso to leave the club one year before the expiry of his contract, which had been due to run until the summer of 2026.

“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,” Bayer 04 chair Werner Wenning said via a club statement.

Bayer Leverkusen’s Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso looks on ahead of kick-off in the UEFA Europa League final football match between Atalanta and Bayer Leverkusen at the Dublin Arena stadium, in Dublin, on May 22, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

“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.”

What Alonso announcement means for Ancelotti, Madrid and Brazil

Though not specifically confirmed in Leverkusen’s statement, it is expected that Alonso will replace Italian tactician Carlo Ancelotti as head coach of Real Madrid.

MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 12: Carlo Ancelotti, Head Coach of Real Madrid, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Round of 16 second leg match between Atletico de Madrid and Real Madrid C.F. at Estadio Metropolitano on March 12, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Madrid have also not made any official announcements yet, but reports earlier in the week claim that Ancelotti’s departure will be announced after their LaLiga match against Barcelona on Sunday.

Leaving Madrid means that Ancelotti will be free to begin his expected new role as head coach of the Brazil national team.

Brazil want Ancelotti in place in time to take charge of the team for their June World Cup qualifiers against Paraguay and Ecuador, while Madrid want a replacement head coach in place in time for the start of the Club World Cup, which also kicks off in mid-June.

What Alonso announcement means for Fabregas and Como

ROME, ITALY – JANUARY 10: Cesc Fabregas, Head Coach of Como, looks on prior to kick-off ahead of the Serie A match between SS Lazio and Como at Stadio Olimpico on January 10, 2025 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)

The situation also leaves Leverkusen in need of a new head coach. They are not part of the Club World Cup, so do not require a replacement to be in place at the start of June, but are still expected to move quickly ahead of the beginning of the summer transfer window.

Reports in Italy claim that Como head coach Cesc Fabregas is among the names at the top of Leverkusen’s wishlist for their soon-to-be vacant position in the dugout.

Friday’s updates claim that Leverkusen have already been in contact with Fabregas’s representatives, but the Spaniard has insisted several times that his priority is to finish the project that he has starter with Como.

Fortunately for Como, there are other candidates under consideration for the Leverkusen job, including former Manchester United and Ajax head coach Erik ten Hag.