Three candidates to replace Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen

Three candidates have reportedly made Bayer Leverkusen’s shortlist as Die Werkself search for Xabi Alonso’s successor.

While it’s not official yet, all signs point to Xabi Alonso leaving Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season to take over as head coach of Real Madrid.

Several names have been linked with the job, but according to kicker, only three candidates are in contention: Erik ten Hag, Xavi Hernández (both currently without a club), and Cesc Fàbregas, who is coaching Italian side Como.

The report states that one of the three is expected to land the job, with ten Hag and Fàbregas seen as the frontrunners.

However, ten Hag’s salary demands could prove to be a major hurdle. During his time at Manchester United, who dismissed him in October 2024, he moved into a salary bracket that Leverkusen may struggle to match. That said, no compensation fee would be required to sign him.

Fàbregas, on the other hand, is under contract with Como until 2028. Meanwhile, Xavi has been out of work since leaving Barcelona last summer and has reportedly turned down offers from clubs in the Middle East.