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Manager Xabi Alonso leads Bayer Leverkusen to win their first-ever Bundesliga title with five games left to play in this competition. A new era in Bundesliga history begins with Bayer Leverkusen ending Bayern Munich’s consecutive 11 titles. It is also the first trophy for Bayer Leverkusen since they won the German Cup back in 19993.
This season under Xabi Alonso has been a fairytale for Leverkusen and celebration continues everywhere in Germany. With their limited budget and without any superstar, only one man named Xabi Alonso did something magical to win the club’s first-ever title in their 120-year history.
Last night, Bayer Leverkusen secured a dominating 5-0 win over Werder Bremen to win the league title with five games in their hands. This win also extended Leverkusen’s unbeaten streak to 43 games. Bayer Leverkusen is the only team in Europe who are still unbeaten this season.
Xabi Alonso – The Magic Man
Xabi Alonso joined Bayer Leverkusen as the head coach back in October 2022, when the club was struggling in the relegation zone of the Bundesliga. Xabi Alonso didn’t get enough funds as the budget was very limited for Bayer Leverkusen, yet the manager was able to end the 2022-2023 season in sixth.
Xabi earned enormous appreciation after finishing the season in 6th. However, his team was never a favorite for the 2023-2024 season. In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich have always been the favorite as they won the last 11 league titles in this competition. Borussia Dortmund sometimes made it difficult for the Bavarians, but Leverkusen were nowhere near Bayern Munich.
But game by game, they played very well and repeatedly won matches. They remained unbeaten against the defending champions Bayern Munich in their two meetings in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen even humiliated the Bavarians at Bay Arena, winning by a 3-0 margin.
This incredible journey has been built with 25 wins and 4 draws. Playing 29 games in the Bundesliga, Xabi Alonso’s side is yet to taste a defeat. Bayer Leverkusen defeated Werder Breman last night to move 16 points clear of Bayern Munich and secure the league title.
The new German champions could win another trophy this season. They have already won the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarterfinal and are very close to playing in the semifinal. It is obvious that Xabi Alonso will now do everything to win the Europa League.
Xabi Rejected Top Clubs
Pep Guardiola, considered one of the best managers in the world right now, was very confident about Xabi Alonso. Pep coached Xabi Alonso during his time at Bayern Munich. Guardiola once said, “He (Xabi Alonso) will come back soon as a manager and, wherever he goes, I bet that he will be good.”
Xabi Alonso also received appreciation from Jurgen Klopp. Klopp considered Alonso as the next leading coach in Europe.
However, many top clubs have been trying to sign Xabi Alonso. As Jurgen Klopp is leaving, Liverpool approached Alonso. Not only Liverpool but also Spanish giant Real Madrid offered him and the rumors were solid.
But Xabi Alonso respectfully rejected those offers and decided to stay at Leverkusen!
Granit Xhaka, the midfielder of Bayer Leverkusen, shared his thoughts about the manager after last night’s match. Xhaka said, “First, he (Alonso) is an unbelievable coach. Second, he is an unbelievable person, but I think even the board are giving him a lot of confidence. But the work we are putting in with him day-by-day, the ideas, the hunger, the mentality – everything comes from him and us together.”
