Xabi Alonso has always been the leading candidate for Real Madrid's future. Carlo Ancelotti's future had long been decided, and it was time for a new manager to take over.
Now, the manager has officially confirmed his departure from Bayer Leverkusen. According to a statement on Bayer Leverkusen's website, Xabi Alonso will leave the German club at the end of this season.
This is essentially a direct admission that Real Madrid are pursuing Alonso, and he will undoubtedly relocate to the Spanish capital following weeks, if not months of conjecture and talks.
After leading Bayern Leverkusen to what was perhaps the best season in the club's history and breaking Bayern Munich's monopoly in German football, Alonso is about to embark on a new chapter in Spain.
Xabi Alonso is set to take over the Real Madrid team, but the question remains, when?
Now it appears that Alonso will take over Real Madrid. His coming has long been anticipated, and this departure announcement has effectively sealed the deal, at least indirectly.
But now the question is, when exactly will he join Real Madrid?
Many news outlets earlier reported that Real Madrid wanted to bring him to the Club World Cup and lead the squad in the competition. The club shares this sentiment with their most recent signing, whom they hope to have ready for the Club World Cup early on.
However, other rumors stated that Alonso was not in the mood to take over the team so early. Especially because he did not want to raise a fuss and oversee a team with many positions to fill, many slots to be made vacant, and, overall, a team that will be subject to numerous changes throughout the summer transfer window.
Xabi's goal was apparently to take over Real Madrid in the pre-season following the Club World Cup, coach the new team, and usher in the new era with the greatest players he could find and demand.