By: Nana Kwame Bediako
Xabi Alonso has been the spotlight of the 2023–2024 football season with his excellent imprint on his side, Bayer Leverkusen. Xabi took charge of office in October 2022 when Leverkusen were trailing three places down the relegation zone. His tactical ability and mind set propelled the German side to secure a European spot in the 2022/2023 season, where they qualified for the Europa League.
The iconic midfielder arrived at Sociedad’s Anoeta complex to take over the B team. Having impressed in his three seasons, his opportunity to coach the Real Sociedad senior team in the La Liga was denied by the Copa del Rey-winning heroics of first-team manager Imanol Alguacil. Sociedad’s loss now is very much Leverkusen’s gain.
The Spaniard had no first-team coaching experience before making a move from the Real Sociedad B team to a top European league team like Bayer Leverkusen. Alonso closed all doors to doubters and outside noise from some football fans and pundits who projected his failure as Leverkusen coach before he even took charge of his first game as head coach of a top European club.
As some pundits underrated the man Alonso, one person usually referred to as ‘the special one’ defended and tipped Alonso to be one of the best coaches in the history of football. Jose Mourinho was asked which of his never-ending list of world-class former players would make the best manager, and his response was Xabi Alonso.
The Portuguese manager coached the former Spain midfielder during his days at Real Madrid, where he won some important trophies, with Xabi Alonso playing a vital role in his midfield.
Born in the Basque town of Tolosa to Periko Alonso and Isabel Olano, there was clearly something about Alonso, as he showed a huge part of his talent as a player growing up.
The 42-year-old’s first full season of senior management has been electrifying with Bayer Leverkusen, as their undefeated run in all competitions has already handed them the Bundesliga crown with five games to spare, scripting his name at the top of the list of the best young coaching talents in world football.
Bayern Leverkusen, under the tutelage of an ever-growing and learning young coach, superbly ended Bayer Munich’s 11-year reign of dominance by winning the German Bundesliga for the first time in their history. Leverkusen have been impressive across all competitions, winning 43 games without conceding any defeats in those periods.
The team stands a chance of winning a treble this season, with an already-booked German Cup final waiting for them and an impressive European league campaign where they have one leg in the semifinal after beating Westham in the first leg of the quarterfinals at home.
Indeed, Xabi Alonso’s Leverkusen are ‘foreverkusen’ this season, with a much more promising future installed ahead for them to relish and accomplish.
