Bayer 04 Leverkusen and head coach Xabi Alonso will go their separate ways at the conclusion of the current season, bringing to a close a remarkably successful collaboration that lasted over two and a half years.

The club has agreed to Alonso’s request to end his contract early, which was originally scheduled to run through the summer of 2026.

In an official announcement released on Friday via the club’s website, Bayer 04 confirmed:

“The German champions and 2024 winners of both the DFB Pokal and Supercup have granted the Spaniard’s request to terminate his contract… following the conclusion of this season.”

“Bayer 04 will announce the successor as head coach at the appropriate time.”

Chair of the shareholders committee, Werner Wenning, paid glowing tribute to Alonso’s impact: “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,” he said.

“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.”

CEO Fernando Carro underscored the global recognition the club has attained under Alonso: “Bayer 04 have achieved lasting recognition in the football world through the targeted success under Xabi Alonso.

“Bringing the Meisterschale to Leverkusen unbeaten plus winning the DFB Pokal, reaching the Europa League final and winning the Supercup makes us very proud.”

Sporting managing director Simon Rolfes described Alonso’s tenure as a defining period for the club: “A milestone in the development of Bayer 04 Leverkusen,” Rolfes said.

“Together with Xavi, we have put together a team that has impressed the whole football world through quality on the pitch and mentality.

“We are proud of the big steps forward and the standing of the club today and wish Xabi all the best in his future roles,” it read.

Alonso himself expressed deep appreciation for the opportunity and the collective achievements made during his time in charge: “I owe great thanks to Bayer 04 Leverkusen, my players and staff, all the employees of the club and last but not least the fantastic fans. Our success was the result of an outstanding team performance,” he said.

“This club, who showed exceptional trust in me, very much deserved to win the German league title for the first time. My thanks and admiration go to everybody who helped to make this triumph happen, including the DFB Pokal win in Berlin.”

“Bayer 04 are ready for the future. The positive path will continue, and I will be excited to follow it,” the former Spanish international stated.

Xabi Alonso leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having steered Leverkusen to an unbeaten Bundesliga title, triumphs in the DFB Pokal and German Supercup, and a Europa League final — all within a notably short timeframe.