Xabi Alonso has officially announced his departure from Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the 2024–25 season, concluding a transformative tenure that elevated the German club to unprecedented heights.
When Xabi Alonso arrived at Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022, the club was languishing near the bottom of the Bundesliga table. There was uncertainty surrounding the team’s future, questions about Alonso’s managerial inexperience, and little sign that a revolution was imminent. But within less than two years, Alonso not only revitalized Leverkusen—he transformed them into one of the most dominant forces in European football. His time at the club will go down as one of the most impactful coaching stints in Bundesliga history.
Alonso’s tactical approach was clear from the beginning: a hybrid system that combined structured positional play with fluid attacking transitions. Using a flexible 3-4-2-1 shape, Leverkusen controlled possession with purpose while remaining lethal on the counter. He demanded intelligence, intensity, and complete buy-in from his players—and he got it. Under Alonso, talents like Florian Wirtz blossomed into world-class playmakers, while veterans like Granit Xhaka and Jonathan Tah reached new levels of consistency. Even role players and young prospects were given the confidence and structure to shine. Alonso managed to unify experience, youth, and tactical clarity into a team that played with conviction and purpose every week.
His crowning achievement came during the 2023–24 season, when he guided Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title. And it wasn’t just any title—it was an unbeaten one. Leverkusen finished the league campaign with 28 wins, 6 draws, and 0 defeats, collecting 90 points and outclassing perennial giants like Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund. It was a historic achievement, not just for the club but for German football, as Alonso’s Leverkusen became the first team since Pep Guardiola’s Bayern to go through a Bundesliga season undefeated.
That same season, Leverkusen lifted the DFB-Pokal, defeating Bayern Munich in a thrilling final to claim a domestic double. They began the following campaign with a commanding 3–0 victory in the German Supercup, once again proving their dominance over Leipzig and the rest of the domestic scene. With each passing game, Alonso’s influence was felt in every department—Leverkusen didn’t just win matches, they controlled them, they dictated tempo, and they imposed their identity on every opponent.
Perhaps most remarkably, the team embarked on a 51-game unbeaten run in all competitions—a record in German football and among the best ever seen in European football. This stretch included 42 wins and nine draws, a reflection of consistency, mentality, and belief.
In Europe, Leverkusen made an impressive run to the Europa League final. Though they ultimately fell short against Atalanta, their journey included memorable wins over Roma and Sporting CP, and they played with the same intensity and structure that had defined their domestic dominance. Despite the heartbreak, reaching a European final solidified their reputation as one of the most balanced and dangerous sides on the continent.
Individually, Alonso’s numbers as a coach at Leverkusen are staggering. In his time at the club, he registered a points-per-game average of 2.25, with a goals-per-game rate of 2.28. His win percentage hovered around 68%, placing him in elite company alongside Bundesliga giants like Guardiola, Flick, and Ancelotti. And unlike some teams that rely on a single talisman, Alonso’s Leverkusen was a team in the truest sense—sharing goals, assists, and defensive duties across the pitch. He won three major trophies in less than two full seasons, earned Bundesliga Coach of the Year honors, and was nominated for FIFA’s Best Men’s Coach. But beyond the silverware, Alonso built something deeper: a sense of belief and identity at a club that had long struggled to convert potential into results.
Alonso's decision to leave, despite having a contract until 2026, has intensified speculation about his next move, with strong indications pointing towards a return to Real Madrid as head coach. Reports suggest that Real Madrid views Alonso as the ideal successor to Carlo Ancelotti, who is expected to depart to manage the Brazilian national team. Alonso's deep understanding of the club's culture, stemming from his five-year stint as a player, positions him as a fitting candidate to lead Los Blancos into a new era.
While official confirmation is pending, the football world watches with anticipation as Alonso stands on the cusp of returning to the Santiago Bernabéu, this time to orchestrate success from the touchline.
