Xabi Alonso, the former Spanish international and renowned midfielder, embarked on his first senior managerial role with Bayer Leverkusen on October 5, 2022. At the time of his appointment, Bayer Leverkusen was languishing in second bottom in the Bundesliga, marking one of the club’s poorest starts to a season since 1979.
Prior to taking the helm at Leverkusen, Alonso had not managed a senior team. His move to Bayer Leverkusen came one and a half years ago from an unspecified role, marking a significant step in his post-playing career. Alonso’s transition into management at Leverkusen represents a new chapter for both him and the club, as they aimed to navigate out of their challenging position in the league standings.