Xabi Alonso is 'happy' to be at Bayer Leverkusen

Alonso, who took over as manager in October, has overseen significant improvement at Leverkusen, leading to admiration from other clubs.

Alonso's coaching journey has been deliberate, starting at the Real Madrid academy, followed by Real Sociedad B, where he led the team to its first promotion in 60 years.

After leaving his former club, Alonso waited for the right opportunity before joining Leverkusen.

With speculation linking both Alonso and Mourinho to Real Madrid, Carro confirmed that Alonso would stay with Leverkusen next season.

"With Xabi Alonso we have managed a very good evolution, with security, control and a way of playing that has given us a good run in these first months of the year," Carro told Diario AS.

"It has led the team to have more control, more head, to be better defensively and to take advantage of our weapons and strengths.

"I see us coming into the game in good shape and very excited, very sure of ourselves and willing to fight hard to qualify for the final.

"He has a contract with us until 2024. He is happy here and we are happy with him.

"We are enjoying working together and I am sure we will be with him next season.

"And hopefully there will be many more, but in football you can't look much further than that."