Leverkusen chief criticises Real Madrid and reveals whether Alonso could return to Germany

The CEO of Bayer Leverkusen, Fernando Carro, has openly criticised Real Madrid following the dismissal of Xabi Alonso, and has played down any suggestion of a swift return to Germany.

Speaking around three weeks after Alonso was sacked by Real Madrid, Carro suggested the Spanish coach was never truly given the opportunity to build something in the Spanish capital.

“He clearly believed Real would give him the chance to start a new project. He didn’t get that chance at all. That’s a shame,” said the 61-year-old executive ahead of Bayer’s DFB-Pokal quarter-final win against FC St. Pauli (3–0).

Carro added that Alonso has handled his Madrid dismissal calmly.
“He’s coping well with what happened at Real. He understands how difficult the situation was there,” he explained.

Alonso arrived in Leverkusen in 2022 on Carro’s initiative and went on to write club history. Under the former Spain international, Bayer won the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2024 and reached the Europa League final, claiming their first-ever German league title in the process.

Despite Alonso’s departure last summer, Carro revealed that the two remain in contact.
“We had an excellent time with him here in Leverkusen,” he stressed.

Alonso’s stint at Real Madrid proved remarkably short. After taking over in the summer, he lasted just half a season. In 232 days and 34 competitive matches, he recorded 24 wins, four draws and six defeats before being relieved of his duties in January.

Leverkusen moved on with Erik ten Hag and later Kasper Hjulmand, while Carro made it clear that Alonso will not be returning to the BayArena anytime soon.

According to the Leverkusen chief, the Spaniard has other plans, most likely pointing towards the Premier League. In England, speculation continues that Alonso could be among the leading candidates to one day succeed Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.