The fact that Xabi Alonso is staying in Leverkusen for at least another season sends a strong signal internally and externally. At Bayer, the coach is clearly not finished yet. A comment from kicker reporter Leon Elfreude.
Probably the best coach in the Bundesliga at the moment: Xabi Alonso. IMAGO/Sven Simon
The fact that Xabi Alonso doesn’t feel the need to climb the career ladder in a hurry is not a new finding. The Basque could have ended his involvement with Real Sociedad’s second agency earlier, but he showed foresight, took his time and only made the leap to the big stage after three years. The fact that he has now decided to stay at Bayer is all too fitting. The 42-year-old is clearly not finished in Leverkusen yet – the step to a major international club can wait.
It is a strong signal internally and externally. The successful path that Bayer was able to take with this head coach should be continued. Leverkusen will also have a top squad next year. The team will not allow itself to be torn apart in the summer; in the best case, it should become even stronger. Xabi Alonso’s decision underlines this intention. And sends a message to everyone who may have had doubts about it – outside and within the Werkself.
The Bayer professionals now know that they could continue to learn from this football teacher if they want. The fact that Xabi Alonso and his team are capable of this development work is proven by this special season, in which Leverkusen rushes from win to win, remains unbeaten and is reaching for all three possible titles. He managed to form a team that was as resilient as it was strong, which had solutions in all possible situations and knew about its extraordinary class. A masterpiece.
The bosses can pat themselves on the back
The fact that Xabi Alonso has been intensively involved in squad planning for the next season in recent weeks has always given Leverkusen’s bosses a good feeling. They didn’t pressure him, emphasized again and again that they expected their coach to stay, and could see themselves confirmed – and once again pat themselves on the back. Overall, a lot of things have gone right at Bayer in the past few months and years.
The decision to hire the rookie coach in autumn 2022, when the Werkself were in the bottom of the table, showed courage. And last summer, Bayer’s decision-makers, with managing directors Simon Rolfes and Fernando Carro at the helm, managed to put together a broad and strong squad for their esteemed head coach. It was a perfect summer, it could be a perfect season. And the fact that Xabi Alonso will now stay for at least another season fuels the hope of Werkself fans that this new high is far from coming to an end.
2024-03-29 13:27:35
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