April 21, 2025, 11:11am
Bayer Lebakusen CEO Fernando Caro said the club has a “gentleman agreement” with head coach Zabi Alonso.
Alonso’s future and the possibility that he will succeed Carlo Ancelotti in the summer were the subject of increasing speculation after Real Madrid’s withdrawal from the Champions League quarterfinals and the Pallois show at Lariga this season.
“We’ll know if there will be a change in coaching at the club in a few weeks, but the truth is, we’re a very professional club and we have to prepare for something,” Karo told reporters on Monday.
“From the moment we signed Xabi, we knew he was going to be a great coach, and from the moment you signed you have to prepare others. His signature wasn’t just one time.
“By signing him until 2026, we were confident he would stay. We can sleep peacefully, have a delicious breakfast and prepare for all events. There is a gentleman’s agreement.
Alonso played for Real Sociedad, Eibar (loan), Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich during his playing career.
The former Madrid midfielder was head coach of Bayer Lebakusen since October 2022, leading perennial Underkiber from his second bottom of the table last season to an unbeaten Bundesliga victory. Under his guidance, Leverkusen also lifted DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup, taking home runner-up in the Europa League and losing in the final to Atalanta.
Alonso had a heavy connection to Liverpool’s work after Jurgen Klopp’s shock resignation in January 2024, but he chose to stay in Leverkusen while the Merseyside Club was appointed manager.
In charge of Alonso’s third season, Bayern, Leberkusen Trail League leader, had four games left with eight points. They were knocked out of the Champions League by Bayern on the 16th round stage.
Xabi Alonso has transformed Bayer Lerverkusen since becoming head coach in 2022. Christian Casperbert/Getty Images
Karo said that Leverkusen saw the rest of his Leverkusen contract and the club hopes he will extend the deal that will run until the end of next season.
“We’ve been working together for almost three years, and in football, we recognize that there is a possibility of changes happening at clubs that impact others,” Karo added. “We are not naive, but the truth is that coaches are important, which is why we are preparing our teams for next season.
“He’s fully involved and integrated into preparation. Ultimately, if he’s interested from another club and he’s interested, there’s a relationship that we need to discuss. That’s not our wish, but it’s clear that we have to make a decision within three or four weeks. We can’t wait until the end of the season.
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“We don’t have these arguments because we want Real Madrid to get everything.”
Karo said his continued willingness to be Leverkusen’s boss will be central to debate over his future.
“Last year, during an international break, he assured us that despite his offer, he would stay with us. This year we gave ourselves time to make decisions. We are very calm and have nothing more to say.
“If there’s a great relationship and we talk about it, we talk. Xabi’s willingness is important. He respects us, and we respect him.”
