2024-03-30 05:40:04
No Liverpool, no Munich, Xabi Alonso stays in Leverkusen. A decision that is surprising – but can still be good for all parties.
Xabi Alonso has always kept a low profile. When the Spaniard was asked about his future from the summer of 2024, he said little. He ruled out nothing, denied nothing and confirmed nothing. The Spaniard didn’t let his hand be looked at. What many observers saw as a clear sign of a move away from Leverkusen was ultimately just honest. The coach of the Bundesliga leaders simply hadn’t made a decision yet.
This is Good Friday. Xabi Alonso will remain coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen in the 2024/25 season. A decision that is surprising given the list of interested parties. There is Liverpool FC, for whom Xabi Alonso played for five years and who is looking for a successor to Jürgen Klopp. And there is FC Bayern, for whom Xabi Alonso played for three years and who is looking for a successor to Thomas Tuchel. Two big, prestigious clubs that could have offered the 42-year-old a lot. But Alonso canceled. A decision from which almost all sides benefit, at least in this country.
Bayer Leverkusen
It is obvious why the decision helps Bayer Leverkusen. The successful coach, who led the “Werkself” undefeated to the top of the Bundesliga table, to the DFB Cup semi-finals and to the Europa League quarter-finals, will also be chasing the title next year.
The decision also helps with squad planning. Stars like Florian Wirtz, Alejandro Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong and Edmond Tapsoba have been courted for months. The coach’s stay increases the chances that some of them will stay in Leverkusen for (at least) another year. An impending upheaval has been averted.
Xabi Alonso
There are many examples of coaches who wanted to move up too quickly. Alonso has already proven that he can approach his career planning with calm and patience. In 2021 he had the chance to become head coach of Borussia Mönchengladbach. At that time, the Basque had three years of experience as a coach. One as a youth coach at Real Madrid and two as coach of the second team of Real Sociedad, which played in the Spanish third division.
Alonso turned down Gladbach and stayed at Real Sociedad for another year. After a few months break we went to Leverkusen. It is well known how things worked and are going at Bayer. Now he had the chance to make a big leap again. But Alonso, who played for Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid for years, knows what it means to be responsible for such a big club. You have to be prepared for everything.
But he doesn’t have one experience yet: he’s never been a coach in the Champions League. He will have this experience with Bayer Leverkusen next season, can learn from it – and then go to one of Europe’s top clubs.
Bundesliga
For years, there was only tension in the German upper house of football in the relegation battle or in the race for places 2 to 7. Foreign countries usually only looked to Germany for the full stadiums and the good atmosphere. The Bundesliga championship was decried as boring and one-sided. Even in France there have been title winners other than Primus Paris Saint-Germain here and there in recent years.