Amiri uses chance with Bayer coach Alonso: “It was hopeless with Seoane”

Still a candidate for sale in the summer

Midfielder Nadiem Amiri (26) is one of the winners of the coaching change at Bayer Leverkusen. Under Xabi Alonso, he played 90 minutes for the first time this season in the 5-0 win over Union Berlin and as a joker he equalized in the 2-1 win against 1. FC Köln. “It was almost hopeless for me with Seoane. It wasn’t explained to me. I was the only one who didn’t get a chance. I asked myself: What am I stepping on the gas for? But that’s in the past, that’s football,” said Amiri of the “picture“-Newspaper.

Under Seoane, the former regular player became a bench press in 2021/22 before being loaned out to Genoa FC in January. In the summer, Amiri returned to the Werkself as a sales candidate – Seoane told the “Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger” at the beginning of August: “Nadiem knows that in the long term he won’t get the playing time he might want with us. If something comes up for him that convinces him, I can imagine that he will do it too.” It turned out differently.

Amiri, whose market value has been devalued six times in a row from 22 million to 6 million euros since the beginning of 2021, is working on the turnaround: “The last time before the game against Union I said to my parents: ‘Do you remember? A year ago I cried because I was just sitting on the bench.’ These are things that no one else sees.”

Bayer sporting director Rolfes: “Nadiem took advantage of the change of coach”

In 2019, the former national player came from TSG Hoffenheim for a fee of 9 million euros and signed for Leverkusen until 2024 – the Werkself were the biggest losers in the Bundesliga’s most recent market value update with a drop of 52 million euros in squad value, while Amiri increased its market value for the first time could confirm again.

The sales candidate from August not only demonstrated his qualities in front of Alonso, but also in front of sporting director Simon Rolfes: “Nadiem really hit it, he took advantage of the change of coach – you just have to say that. The way he trains, the way he plays, even when he comes in – he’s an invigorating element with a lot of energy that pulls the boys along. In this condition, he is an important part of our team.” In 2017, Amiri, then still in the TSG jersey, and Alonso in the service of FC Bayern in the Bundesliga once faced each other as opponents (to the match report TSG vs. FCB).

With a home win against VfB Stuttgart, Bayer’s worst first half of the season in over 40 years could get a reasonably positive look – you have the chance to spend the winter in 11th place. “Life is not a gift. You always have to work your way through everything. That’s why it makes me happier than two years ago when we were first and I played every game.”

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