Xabi Alonso has indicated that news on his next managerial move will be revealed soon, after bidding an emotional farewell during his final home match as Bayer Leverkusen boss on Sunday.
The Spanish coach, who confirmed on Friday that he would be leaving Leverkusen at the end of the season, took charge of his last match at the BayArena as his side fell 4-2 to Borussia Dortmund, who are in the hunt for a Champions League place.
Alonso is strongly tipped to return to Real Madrid, where he previously lifted both La Liga and the Champions League as a player. With Madrids 4-3 defeat to Barcelona on Sunday effectively handing the La Liga title to their fierce rivals, speculation around the future of current boss Carlo Ancelotti has intensified, with Alonso viewed as the likely successor.
Having previously turned down interest from Madrid, Bayern Munich and Liverpool, Alonso has remained tight-lipped about his future throughout the season. However, he now suggests an announcement could come in the near future.
"We'll see soon. Not long to wait, but today is about our club and our players," he told DAZN. "This is the end of a wonderful chapter in my life and I want to savour it. Afterwards, we'll see what comes next."