When Xabi Alonso was named  Bayer Leverkusen boss in October, the team was in the Bundesliga drop zone. Now, they’re three points off Europe.

Leverkusen are also still in the hunt to win this season’s Europa League. They’re favourites in their quarter-final clash with Belgians Union SG.

Alonso has overseen 29 Bayer Leverkusen games in all competitions, leading the Germans to a total of 17 victories and just eight defeats.

Die Werkself are on a fine run of form right now. They last lost in mid-February, and have now stretched their unbeaten streak to seven games.

Most recently, Leverkusen earned Alonso’s biggest result yet by beating Bayern Munich 2-1. It’s a win that had major consequences in Bavaria.

Bayern's sporting director, Hasan Salihamidzic, pulled no punches post-match: “I’ve rarely seen anything like that - it's not what this club is about.”

Amid unrest in the dressing room, Julian Nagelsmann has been sacked as Bayern coach, with the team second in the league to Borussia Dortmund.

Alonso’s fine work at Leverkusen could land him a bigger job soon - and Bayern are among the clubs keeping tabs on his progress in the dugout.

Real Madrid are also interested in Alonso. According to Cadena SER, club chief Florentino Pérez sees him as the ideal successor to Carlo Ancelotti.

He’s not the only Real Madrid legend who could take charge of Los Blancos in the future. Most notably, Raúl González is also in the running.