5 h. ago Carlo Ancelotti appointed Brazil manager as Real Madrid exit date confirmed

Italian to leave the Bernabeu and take Selecao reins this month, with Xabi Alonso lined up as his replacement

Politics

7 h. ago Xabi Alonso basks in hero’s sendoff but Dortmund ruin Leverkusen party | Andy Brassell

Both sets of fans thanked Spaniard for breaking Bayern’s hegemony – then Dortmund found a ‘killer instinct’It was the last two and a half years in a nutshell; deliciously inventive, daringly late and, quite frankly, a bit too good for Borussia Dortmund. As stoppage time ticked on Florian Wirtz received the ball on the left, seemingly without an angle for a cross; so he dug out a spinning ball with the outside of his foot, spearing it to the back post. The substitute Jonas Hofmann snuck around the back of the defence to bullet a diving header into the far corner as we went into the second minute of added time, another goal at the last for Bayer Leverkusen. Yet there was just a muted cheer and as the familiar chords of ATC’s All Around The World greeted the strike from the sound system, they were met by considerable echo.This time, it was already over. Xabi Alonso’s side had lost a Bundesliga game for only the third time this season but the moment had long since passed, for coach and ...

Politics

51 h. ago Carlo Ancelotti approves 'fantastic' candidate to replace him as Real Madrid manager

Xabi Alonso announced he was leaving Bayer Leverkusen this summer after winning the Bundesliga title last year and he is likely to replace Carlo Ancelotti as the next manager of Real Madrid

Politics

56 h. ago Xabi Alonso moving fast to deal major transfer blows to Arsenal and Man Utd

Xabi Alonso is poised to become Real Madrid's new head coach in the coming weeks and his transfer plans could spell major trouble for Arsenal and Manchester United

Economics

3 d. ago Xabi Alonso confirms he is leaving Leverkusen, West Ham quartet to exit: football – live

Team news and more in the buildup to a busy weekendTen things to look for in the Premier League | Mail MichaelDavid Kogan has cleared a significant hurdle in his bid to become the first chair of the English football regulator, after a parliamentary committee endorsed his candidacy.The culture media and sport select committee conducted a ‘pre-appointment hearing’ with Kogan on Wednesday in which they grilled him on his priorities as a regulator, his past experience, and his well-publicised history as a donor to the Labour party.It’s massive. Of course it is, because you have to frame it against what this club has been through over the last 15 or 20 years and what the supporters have been through. A final is a unique standalone game, it’s a bit different to everything you do in the buildup to it. But if you’re talking about resilience and adversity, this group of players have had it in bucket-loads this year and we’ve still found a way to deal with it. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Xabi Alonso confirms Bayer Leverkusen exit before expected Real Madrid move

Leverkusen agree to cut contract set to run until 2026Alonso led club to unbeaten Bundesliga title last seasonXabi Alonso will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the Bundesliga season, with the expectation he will take on the imminently vacant seat at Real Madrid.“We can let you know that this week the club and I, we have agreed that these two games are going to be my last two games as a Bayern Leverkusen coach,” Alonso told a Friday press conference. “We have been talking during this week that is always about the moment and now is the right moment to announce it.” Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Xabi Alonso moves one step closer to Real Madrid job after Bayer Leverkusen exit is confirmed

Alonso has been heavily tipped to succeed Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid

Politics

3 d. ago Xabi Alonso confirms Bayer Leverkusen departure with Real Madrid waiting in the wings

Alonso went 35 Bundesliga games unbeaten as Bayer Leverkusen boss

Politics

3 d. ago Xabi Alonso confirms he is leaving Bayer Leverkusen: football news – live

Team news and more in the buildup to a busy weekendTen things to look for in the Premier League | Mail MichaelDavid Kogan has cleared a significant hurdle in his bid to become the first chair of the English football regulator, after a parliamentary committee endorsed his candidacy.The culture media and sport select committee conducted a ‘pre-appointment hearing’ with Kogan on Wednesday in which they grilled him on his priorities as a regulator, his past experience, and his well-publicised history as a donor to the Labour party.It’s massive. Of course it is, because you have to frame it against what this club has been through over the last 15 or 20 years and what the supporters have been through. A final is a unique standalone game, it’s a bit different to everything you do in the buildup to it. But if you’re talking about resilience and adversity, this group of players have had it in bucket-loads this year and we’ve still found a way to deal with it. Continue reading...

Politics

3 d. ago Xabi Alonso confirms he's leaving Bayer Leverkusen with emotional message

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has confirmed he's leaving the German club at the end of the season with reports linking him to Real Madrid

Politics

3 d. ago Xabi Alonso to LEAVE Bayer Leverkusen with Real Madrid closing on new manager

Real Madrid have been strongly linked with a move for Xabi Alonso amid increasing doubt over Carlo Ancelotti's future, and now the Spaniard has confirmed he will be leaving Bayer Leverkusen this summer

Politics

4 d. ago British & Irish Lions: Henry Pollock in, Owen Farrell out and Maro Itoje captain for tour of Australia – live

All the latest as Andy Farrell’s touring party is unveiledEmail Niall your thoughts | Sign up for The BreakdownThis will be the Lions’ first tour of Australia since 2013, when the tourists prevailed 2-1. Warren Gatland’s side won 23-21 in Brisbane, lost 16-15 in Melbourne and then roared to a 41-16 victory in the Sydney decider.The Lions will play 10 fixtures this summer – one in Dublin and the rest in Australia. Here’s the full list of opponents: Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago British & Irish Lions rugby squad announced with Itoje captain for tour of Australia – live

All the latest as Andy Farrell’s 40-strong party is unveiledEmail Niall your thoughts | Sign up for The BreakdownThis will be the Lions’ first tour of Australia since 2013, when the tourists prevailed 2-1. Warren Gatland’s side won 23-21 in Brisbane, lost 16-15 in Melbourne and then roared to a 41-16 victory in the Sydney decider.The Lions will play 10 fixtures this summer – one in Dublin and the rest in Australia. Here’s the full list of opponents: Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago British & Irish Lions rugby squad announced for tour of Australia – live

All the latest as Andy Farrell’s 40-strong party is unveiledEmail Niall your thoughts | Sign up for The BreakdownLions szn is officially here. The first Test against Australia in Brisbane is just over a couple of months away, and the curtain-raiser against Argentina in Dublin will be upon us in six weeks’ time.This is the biggest milestone on the road to opening night, as Andy Farrell picks an expected 40-man squad from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales’ finest. It’ll be a career highlight for many players, and a day of great disappointment for others. Continue reading...

Society

4 d. ago When is the Lions squad announced? Time, how to watch and fixtures for Australia tour

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell will confirm his travelling party in front of more than 2,000 fans at the O2 Arena

Politics

6 d. ago When is the Lions squad announced? Date, time, how to watch and fixtures for Australia tour

British and Irish Lions head coach Andy Farrell will confirm his travelling party during a special event held in front of more than 2,000 fans at the O2 Arena

Politics

1 week ago Xabi Alonso ally fears Real Madrid bound boss at 'risk' of losing dressing room already as formidable four await

The Bayer Leverkusen boss may not have it all his own way when he makes a likely grand return to Los Blancos

Events

1 week ago Carlo Ancelotti set to take over Brazil national team with Liverpool legend in line for Madrid call up

Carlo Ancelotti’s Copa del Rey final loss confirmed his decision to leave the club

Politics

2 w. ago Xabi Alonso may put Arsenal's first summer transfer in jeopardy

Arsenal have lined up a summer swoop for Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but Real Madrid could make a move for the Spain international if Xabi Alonso takes over

Sport

3 w. ago Xabi Alonso to Real Madrid moves closer as club chief confirms private talks

Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso has been linked with taking over at Real Madrid with Carlo Ancelotti expected to leave the Spanish capital after four years with the club

Economics