In a press conference that confirmed what many had already suspected, Xabi Alonso officially announced he will step down as Bayer Leverkusen manager at the end of the season, with expectations

Analysing Alonso's influence and impact at Leverkusen and how that might translate if he were to replace Ancelotti at Real Madrid

There is an air of inevitability now around Xabi Alonso and Real Madrid joining forces in the summer, and that could lead to some interesting transfer activity. It was announced on Friday that Alonso will be leaving his post as Bayer Leverkusen head coach come the end of the season,