Xabi Alonso has been appointed as the new Bayer Leverkusen coach in a two year contract.
The former Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich prolific midfielder agreed to sign a contract which up to the moment runs until 30th June 2024 replacing Gerardo Seoane who parted ways with Leverkusen following a sticky start to the season. The 2-0 loss of Bayer away to Porto on Tuesday saw Xabi take over Seone’s job position as the Spanish is yet to be tested on whether he can overcome Gerardo’s shortfalls. Seoane joined Leverkusen from Swiss club Young Boys in 2021 and managed them to finish 3rd in Bundesliga last campaign in his one and half year coaching spell with the German club but the Swiss have equally fell short in the champions league this season as much as he has in Bundesliga, loosing all the games and risk dropping to Europa League.
Bayer have managed a total of 5 points out of possible 24 points after 8 games. The Swiss last Bundesliga game ended in 4-0 rout by Bayern Munich away at Alianz Arena as Leverkusen suffered the 5th loss of the season. Having been knocked out of DFB Pokal by third tier team SV 07 Elversberg in the first round at the start of the season, Bayer Leverkusen lies 17th in the Bundesliga table just four points above last placed Vfl Bochum.
Speaking to media on Wednesday, Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said, “in Xabi Alonso we have signed a coach who, as a player, was an absolute world-class professional for many years, an intelligent strategist and very successful in three of the most demanding European leagues.”
Welcome to Leverkusen, @XabiAlonso ! 🤗#Bayer04 I #Werkself pic.twitter.com/gWeZgNTTQx
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) October 6, 2022
More About Xabi Alonso
“Gerardo Seoane did good work for Bayer 04 over the past year and a half, especially with the excellent qualification for the Champions League. Unfortunately, we have strayed from the road to success, ” the director added.
Alonso’s first game will be on Saturday at home against FC Schalke 04 with the Spanish midfielder looking forward to start on a high note by delivering Leverkusen its second win of the season.
Xabi who hanged his boots in 2017 and since has been working as the headcoach of Real Sociedad B until 2021 when he left the club.
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