Bayer 04 Leverkusen’s CEO Fernando Carro has intensified the pressure on coach Xabi Alonso regarding his future decision. In an interview with Sky, Carro stated, „A coach’s decision involves many other components that are affected. We are already preparing the preseason with Xabi Alonso, and we are working with him on the squad. If in the end Xabi Alonso should actually go somewhere else, then we need to clarify that with him in the coming weeks, and we will discuss this with him in the coming weeks.“
Carro emphasized that a decision will need to be made soon. „We will not wait until the end of the season, but we must decide this beforehand, as it has implications for squad planning and preparation,“ he said. Carro seeks planning certainty and a decision that cannot be prolonged much longer. When asked about his gut feeling on the matter, he replied, „My gut feeling? My gut feeling is 50:50.“
Leverkusen’s team, the reigning champions, managed only a 1-1 draw against newly promoted FC St. Pauli. This result effectively ends their title defense hopes, as they now trail FC Bayern Munich by eight points with just four matches remaining in the season. Additionally, Bayern boasts a significantly better goal difference by 29 goals.
Alonso’s name continues to be linked with a potential move to Real Madrid as a successor to Carlo Ancelotti. Following the early exit of the Royal Team from the Champions League, various media reports suggest that Ancelotti’s departure this summer appears likely.