Alonso has 'gentleman's agreement' on exit, says Leverkusen CEO

Alonso replaced Gerardo Seoane at Leverkusen in October 2022 and has gone on to become one of the most in-demand managers in world football.

He guided Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2023-24, going unbeaten in the process, while also guiding the club to the DFB-Pokal in the same season.

Alonso has won 88 of his 136 matches in charge of Leverkusen across all competitions (D30 L18), and has been linked with a move away from the club for some time.

The 43-year-old was linked with the vacant roles at Bayern Munich, Liverpool and Real Madrid last year, all of whom he turned out for in his professional career.

Alonso stated he would see out his contract, which runs until 2026, but speculation has arisen once again about a potential switch to the Spanish capital.

Carlo Ancelotti's future at the Bernabeu is uncertain following Los Blancos' exit at the quarter-final stage of the Champions League to Arsenal last week.

It has been reported that he could step away from his position at the end of the season to take over the Brazilian national team's vacant spot.

"We have a gentleman's agreement that if any of the teams he has played for calls, we would sit down and talk, and we wouldn't put any obstacles in his way," Carro said.

"(Last year) Xabi had offers from important clubs, but he assured us that he would stay with us. Maybe it is a bit early to talk as the season is still ongoing.

"Maybe things could happen. So we have given ourselves some time to decide... We are very calm and there is not much more to say other than that."

When it's 19:04 on 19/04 and you were formed in 1904... pic.twitter.com/x9ntqOxy14

— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) April 19, 2025

Carro said that Leverkusen's relationship with Madrid "is excellent" but explained there has been no contact whatsoever regarding Alonso from the Spanish club.

"We are not naive, but the position of the coach is very important for a club and we are preparing the next season with him," Carro said.

"We have been working with him every day, he is fully involved in that preparation. We are a very professional club and we have to be prepared for everything.

"If at the end of the day there is interest from another club and he is interested in going to that club, we have a relationship that we would have to talk about.