Alonso sets an exit clause with Leverkusen

Press reports revealed that Spaniard Xabi Alonso is slowly but surely clawing his way up the list of Europe’s most promising managers. The manner in which he has turned around Bayer Leverkusen’s fortunes is inspiring, and it is not surprising that several of Europe’s elite are in the race to sign him. An exit clause agreed with Leverkusen would allow Alonso to leave for three clubs next year - and Real Madrid is one of them. The impeccable work of Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, who remain undefeated this season and are the current leaders of the Bundesliga, continues to spark rumors about the managerial future of the former La Liga winner. The coach has been linked for some time as a possible successor to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid as of next season, at which point the Italian’s contract at the Santiago Bernabéu expires. And now this idea is something that is all the more plausible due to a detail in Xabi’s contract with his current German team. As revealed by the German newspaper Sport Bild, both the club and the manager have agreed on a release clause that is valid for three of Alonso’s former clubs: Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Liverpool. Despite Xabi’s contract with Bayer Leverkusen running until 2026, any of these teams would have easier access to the Spaniard and could take on the coach’s services from next summer, when the clause comes into force. The agreed amount for his release is still unknown. Ottmar Hitzfeld, former coach and winner of two Champions Leagues with Dortmund and Bayern, believes Alonso, despite the aforementioned clause, should be more patient. “It is difficult to say no to Real Madrid if there is really an offer, but my advice to Xabi is that he stays at Leverkusen until 2025.”