Bayer Leverkusen struggling and they hired Xabi Alonso: "We want to be dominant"
The German side are having a terrible season and they're hiring a new coach
It seems only yesterday that Xabi Alonso was lifting the World Cup with Spain in South Africa; now, however, he's going to take his first big step in management, as he's been announced as the new head coach for Bayer Leverkusen.
Since hanging up his boots in 2017 with Bayern Munich, Alonso has been working on his coaching career. He started working with Real Madrid's youth academy, as coach for the under 14 squad, and since 2019 he's been working with his former side Real Sociedad, as manager of the B side that currently plays in the third tier of Spanish football.
Xabi Alonso was Real Sociedad B coach for three years
Now, however, he'll be returning to Germany to take over his first senior side with Bayer Leverkusen. "I know Leverkusen from my time in Germany as an excellent club. Bayer 04 has always had great players and I see a lot of quality in the current team as well", said Alonso during his presentation.
Alonso is taking over a side that is struggling. Now former manager Gerardo Seoane was fired as Bayer Leverkusen finds itself second from bottom in the Bundesliga and in trouble in the Champions League. "In my discussions with the club, it quickly became clear that despite the difficult situation, ambitious goals are still being pursued. I am very excited about this task and I am sure that we will be up to the task", explained Alonso.
It will be Xabi Alonso's first time back in Germany since his retirement
"I would like to propose a modern football. That it is dominant, intense with and without the ball. I don't look at the standings but I think about the newspaper, game after game. I can't think about the relegation fight", replied Xabi Alonso when questioned on what he'll ask his team to do on the pitch, "The Bundesliga is a league of young coaches who are not afraid, like me".
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