Fernando Carro, the CEO of Bayer Leverkusen, stated on Monday that the Spanish manager and his coach, Xabi Alonso, had a “gentleman’s agreement” that would permit him to leave if he is called up by one of the teams he played for during his career.
Rumour has it that the 43-year-old former midfielder, who had an incredible career playing for Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, and his childhood club Real Sociedad, is the front-runner to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the Spanish capital.
After Real Madrid’s Champions League quarterfinal loss, the 65-year-old Italian manager’s future is in doubt.
According to several reports, he may resign at the end of the current campaign to fill the vacancy on the Brazilian national team, which would further pave the way for Alonso’s return to Madrid.
In his brief management tenure, the former Spanish international, whose contract with Bayer Leverkusen expires in June 2026, has performed admirably.
Along with victories in the German Cup and DFB Supercup, he guided them to their first Bundesliga victory, breaking Bayern Munich’s dominance of the league for 11 years.
“We have a gentlemen’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 told reporters in Madrid on Monday, before attending the Laureus Awards in which Bayer Leverkusen have been nominated as Breakthrough of the year.
“(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 can 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.”
Carro claimed that although Leverkusen and Real Madrid have a “great” relationship, the Spanish team has not gotten in touch with them at all about Alonso.
“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.
“Xabi’s will is important in this, he respects us a lot and we respect Xabi”.