Xabi Alonso: Embracing the Journey to Managerial Success at Bayer Leverkusen

In life, as in soccer, it’s often said that it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.

Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen are a living, breathing testament to that.

The winning of the Bundesliga title went some ways to banish the demons of the past for Bayer Leverkusen.

The winning of the Bundesliga title went some ways to banish the demons of the past for Bayer Leverkusen.

Jörg Schüler/Bayer 04 Leverkusen/Getty Images

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Bayer Leverkusen's 44-game unbeaten run has finally put an end to 31 years of disappointment and mockery. This season, the team has exceeded all expectations and taken their fans on an unforgettable journey.

A season that has surpassed all predictions, rewritten history, and established new benchmarks that the modern European game has never seen before.

An extraordinary unbeaten domestic league season and the acquisition of two trophies have prompted a complete transformation from the mocked ‘Neverkusen’ to the praised ‘Neverlusen.’

Alonso shared with CNN Sport's Amanda Davies at the Globe Soccer Awards Europe Edition in Sardinia, Italy that it has been quite a journey for him. He described it as very challenging and demanding.

He also mentioned that during the initial weeks of the competition, he had a positive feeling about the team's potential for a successful season.

“For sure, I was not that optimistic that we could fight until the last week, but that we could have a good season? Yes.”

Foundations for success

Alonso had experience coaching Real Madrid’s Under-14 team and Real Sociedad’s B team before joining BayArena in October 2022.

During his time at Sociedad, he learned the significance of player development, sharing knowledge, and being tactically adaptable. These are the principles he aims to instill in his Leverkusen team.

Alonso explained that returning to work with the young players at Real Sociedad brought him back to his roots and gave him a new perspective. He mentioned that it was a shift from the elite level he was used to, allowing him to connect with players on a different level.

This experience has been invaluable for Alonso's development as a coach and manager. He emphasized the importance of not forgetting the lessons learned from working with young players.

Alonso as Real Sociedad B manager in 2021.

Alonso as Real Sociedad B manager in 2021.

Francis Gonzalez/SOPA Images/Shutterstock

The Spaniard joined a team languishing second from last in the Bundesliga, in desperate need of fresh ideas and a clear vision for upward mobility.

Last summer, a successful transfer window was strategically planned, complemented by Alonso's focus on nurturing talent. This laid the foundation for a remarkable turnaround in the team's fortunes.

The team brought in experienced midfielder Granit Xhaka, utilized the explosive skills of full-back Álex Grimaldo, and unleashed the lethal striking abilities of forward Victor Boniface. This, combined with the existing talent of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, created a dynamic blend of grit and skill that propelled the team across three competitions this season.

Last year was tough for the club. However, when I joined, things started to improve in the second part of the season. Our main focus was to strive towards reaching the Champions League," he explained.

As it turned out, Champions League would be the bare minimum of what they would achieve.

Week after week, the Leverkusen juggernaut rolled on in the Bundesliga.

Statement victories over a Bayern Munich team that has been inconsistent lately - despite winning the last 11 league titles- showcased their ability to secure last-minute wins and dominate their opponents. This gave rise to the belief in achieving what was once only a dream: an undefeated season.

One player mentioned, "The focus within the team was not so much on staying unbeaten, but more on the impressive statistics we were achieving."

There is a lot of excitement in the media about Leverkusen's continuous games. It feels like they are always saying, "Just one more game, one more game. 42, 43, and it goes on." This constant pressure can be overwhelming. Instead of focusing on long-term goals, the team prefers to set short-term goals.

Since winning the German Cup in 1993, Leverkusen has a history of coming close but falling short. They have been runner-up in the league several times and famously lost to Real Madrid in the 2002 Champions League final.

After 29 games unbeaten in the league, this year was different - the club's 31-year trophy drought came to an end. They clinched their first ever Bundesliga title in a dominant fashion.

Alonso and his players celebrate with the Bundesliga trophy.

Alonso and his players celebrate with the Bundesliga trophy.

Ina Fassbender/AFP/Getty Images

The 'Invincibles' league season in Germany was sealed with a victory against Augsburg on the final day, marking a historic achievement. This also extended the unbeaten run to 51 games, surpassing the previous record set by Benfica between 1963-65.

Reflecting on this remarkable feat, the team expressed their pride and emphasized the importance of analyzing and sustaining the principles that led to this success. Looking ahead, they believe that these principles will continue to be significant for future endeavors.

Treble hurt

However, there was little time to bask in the glory of a maiden title for Alonso. A tantalizing treble was still on the cards with two defining finals in the space of four days.

Firstly, Atalanta in the Europa League followed by Kaiserslautern in the German Cup.

Could Leverkusen become just the second German team in history to complete a treble after Bayern Munich?

Unfortunately, the perfect season did not come to fruition. Leverkusen's remarkable journey ended in a thrilling manner in the Europa League final. Ademola Lookman's hat trick secured the Italians their second major trophy in the club's 116-year history.

Alonso applauds the fans after Leverkusen's Europa League final defeat.

Alonso applauds the fans after Leverkusen's Europa League final defeat.

Alex Grimm/Getty Images

Redemption, though, would be served a few days later as Granit Xhaka’s strike saw Alonso and his team complete a domestic double.

So close, yet so far from eternity.

Reflecting on the game, Alonso acknowledged that dealing with defeat is just part of the job in football. Despite the disappointment, he recognized that it's not the first time they've faced defeat, and it certainly won't be the last.

I believe that the game against Atalanta will help me improve as a coach and manager more than if we had won the treble. Those unforgettable games can be used as learning experiences for the future.

“At the moment, it hurts. It hurts so much, but I have that feeling that it will be more useful for my development than winning the treble.”

Competitive edge

Alonso, Leverkusen, and the Bundesliga have truly impressed this season by showcasing the league's high quality and competitiveness to football fans worldwide. Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich's success in reaching the Champions League final and semifinals, along with Leverkusen's remarkable achievements, have further highlighted the strength of the league.

Some people have criticized the Bundesliga as a 'Farmers League' for not having enough star players and marketing. However, Alonso thinks that the strong performances of German clubs this season in domestic and European competitions can help the league attract a global audience and compete with, or even surpass, other European leagues.

Alonso mentioned, "There has always been a sense of pride in German football."

The league is extremely competitive, as we all know. Personally, I am very familiar with this competitiveness as I work on it every week!

It is crucial for not just Europe, but for the entire world to witness the quality of the teams and players. This visibility holds immense importance.

I believe it is important for the Bundesliga to focus on global recognition, not just within Germany. This will be crucial for the league to compete on a worldwide scale, similar to La Liga and the Premier League, in order to stay relevant in the industry.

Alonso has morphed his Leverkusen squad into one of the most formidable in Europe.

Alonso has morphed his Leverkusen squad into one of the most formidable in Europe.

Hesham Elsherif/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

So how does he believe the league goes about achieving that objective?

"He explains that performing, reaching finals, and playing good football are all part of helping spectacular players make an impact on young kids in Leverkusen, Dortmund, San Francisco, and Delhi."

"We have talented young players like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong who are making a positive impact on the youth in our community."

Liverpool links

It’s perhaps no surprise that the Spaniard’s rapid rise through the footballing ranks and achievements this season have garnered him many suitors.

During the season, the 42-year-old was connected to managerial openings at two of his former clubs, Bayern Munich and Liverpool. These positions have since been taken by Vincent Kompany and Arne Slot.

However, it is unclear if Alonso thought about the Liverpool job after Jürgen Klopp revealed in January that he would be leaving at the end of the season.

Making important decisions requires careful consideration. It's essential to take the time to think things through. The focus was on what I already had, not what I felt was lacking.

My connection with Liverpool remains strong and unchanged. There are no issues or concerns about that.

Asked whether he’d spoken to the Merseyside club, Alonso responded: “That’s kind of behind the curtains.”

For how much longer those curtains will stay closed remains to be seen.

Editor's P/S:

Xabi Alonso's remarkable journey with Bayer Leverkusen serves as a testament to the transformative power of perseverance and a shared commitment to excellence. The team's unwavering determination and tactical adaptability, instilled by Alonso's leadership, have shattered long-held disappointments and propelled them to unprecedented heights. Their historic unbeaten league run and double trophy triumph have not only rejuvenated the club but also showcased the strength and competitiveness of the Bundesliga on a global scale.

Alonso's emphasis on nurturing talent and fostering a positive team culture has played a pivotal role in Leverkusen's success. By empowering young players and fostering a sense of unity, he has created a dynamic environment where individual brilliance thrives within a cohesive collective. His experiences in developing young players at Real Sociedad have undoubtedly shaped his approach, instilling in him the importance of patience, adaptability, and a deep understanding of the players' needs.