Xabi Alonso had a small smile on his lips. On the way to the press conference podium, the Bayer 04 Leverkusen coach was in a great mood – and without any signs of stress or even doubts. Alonso had made a groundbreaking decision for him, his family and the club. Before the obligatory press conference before the Bundesliga game against Hoffenheim on Saturday (3:30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the Bundesliga and on Sky), the Spaniard also spoke on his own behalf.
“We have had a lot of speculation recently about my future. I wanted to use the international break to make a decision,” said Alonso. “This is the right place. I’m a young coach and I feel that’s good. My job doesn’t end here.”
Despite the intensive efforts of FC Bayern and Liverpool from the Premier League to recruit Alonso as head coach for the coming season, the 42-year-old will work under the Bayerkreuz for another year. Although he has a contract until 2026, he is said to have had an exit clause for his former clubs as a player. “I tried to make the right decision. The situation here at the club is stable. I’m happy,” said Alonso.
The Spaniard still feels in good hands under the Bayerkreuz and, despite his success, can work on his young coaching career and gain further experience at a high level, relatively unmolested by the public. “It was a process how the team developed. That’s how I developed too,” said Alonso. At which other football location does he find such conditions?
Alonso and Leverkusen: on course for championships
So far, the relationship between the club and Alonso appears to be almost perfect. After initial difficulties, the Spaniard quickly led the team from 17th place in the table last season to championship contender this season, now ten points ahead of second-placed FC Bayern.
Eight match days before the end of the season, Leverkusen’s first championship title in the club’s history is now unlikely to be taken away from them. Currently 38 competitive games in a row without defeat, and there are still chances of winning the title in the two other competitions (Europa League, DFB Cup). A remarkable record from the young coach, which at first glance seems unlikely to be surpassed in the future.
But Alonso sees further potential in his players, in the entire team. “We want to develop further. We want to remain ambitious,” said Alonso, citing one reason why he made his decision for the Rhinelander. The club leadership around sports director Simon Rolfes and Bayer 04 boss Fernando Carro want to seize the unique opportunity to establish the club more sustainably nationally, but also internationally in permanently ambitious spheres. According to Alonso, there is a clear commitment from those responsible that the sporting development should continue in the coming year and that everyone involved wants to push the project forward aggressively. In other words: Bayer 04 will spend more money to develop the team. “We want to take the club to another level,” said Alonso. The ambition of everyone involved has been awakened.
Alonso’s commitment is also a clear signal to the players that they can trust that they will continue to find an environment in Leverkusen in which they can perform at the highest level. For important players like Florian Wirtz, Granit Xhaka, Jonathan Tah, Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo, a security that could encourage them to continue their path in Leverkusen.
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The initial conditions for a successful future appear to have been created. Now the Werkself’s main priority is to get their success across the finish line. “We still have two months to go, it will be really intense,” said the Spaniard. Everything has gone very well so far, but: “The most important thing is the game against Hoffenheim. We are in a great position, the next three or four games are the key,” said Alonso.