When Bayer Leverkusen host FC Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, coach Xabi Alonso is not just about three points. For the Basque there are also a lot of emotions and good memories with him Sunday’s game (from 5.20 p.m. live in the radio report on sportschau.de). For the first time in his coaching career he meets his old club.
And even to many old acquaintances. Alonso has also played with Thomas Müller, Joshua Kimmich, Kingsley Coman, Manuel Neuer and Sven Ulreich. With them he toiled, fought and celebrated great successes. One or the other hug is programmed when we meet again.
Alonso and Bayern: “Great experiences and great memories”
And the Bayern executive floor will definitely drop by to shake hands. “I have seen few players who were as likeable and intelligent as Xabi”, said former CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge of “Sport Bild”. He has already stated that he could imagine Alonso as Bayern head coach at some point.
The Spaniard is looking forward to meeting the Munich team. “Until the game, my focus is just on helping the team. There’s no room for emotion. We have to be professionals.”he said: “But after the game I will have time to say hello to my friends. I had a great experience there and I have fond memories of my three years. Playing against them for the first time as a coach will be nice. Hopefully with a smile after Game.”
Only lost six of 79 Bundesliga games
From 2014 to 2017, the 41-year-old played for Munich. He became German champion three times and won the DFB Cup once. When he came to Bayern, the man from Tolosa had already won the Champions League twice with Real Madrid and Liverpool. In 2008 and 2012, the 114-time national player became European champion with Spain and in 2010 world champion.
For Bayern, he was something of a lottery winner in defensive midfield. He set the pace and was the conductor, the boss on court, and a role model for the younger players. His record was unbelievable: the world-class six lost only six of their 79 Bundesliga games. The only downside: it wasn’t enough to win the Champions League again with Bayern.
At Bayern: “The last highlight of my career”
They can certainly pride themselves on the fact that he ended his active career with Bayern. “Bayern was the last highlight of my career. The opportunity to move to another great of world football when I was 32, Bayern, with all the importance and power that this club has in Germany and the power to prove it everywhere he also plays. So I’m very happy that I was able to experience that.”he said in a review of the Spanish sports newspaper “Marca”.
He also has Bayern to thank for the fact that he is now a coach in Leverkusen. They paved the way for him a bit. They won the first leg against Leverkusen 4-0. It was the last Bundesliga game under Gerardo Seoane, who was replaced by Alonso a few days later in the Champions League at FC Porto after losing 2-0. That was early October.
He was previously youth coach at Real Madrid and second-team coach at Real Sociedad San Sebastian, his first professional club as a player. He was also in discussion at Borussia Mönchengladbach when the club was looking for a successor to Marco Rose in 2021.
Leverkusen more efficient under Alonso
Alonso took over the “Werkself” in 17th place, now the team is ninth. It was not steep under him, but steadily upwards. He scored 29 points from 16 games and made it into the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
The former six has stabilized the defense and provided more power, especially on the offensive. Under him, Leverkusen has become more efficient. Top scorer Moussa Diaby, for example, benefits from this. The 23-year-old Frenchman has scored all of his eight goals of the season since changing coaches. In the first eight matchdays under Gerardo Seoane he didn’t score at all.
“Had to go to the devil if he didn’t succeed”
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Alonso’s companion at Bayern, is sure that the Basque will make his way. “If Bayer Leverkusen gives him the time, they will benefit from that. He has to keep the team stable, that’s starting to look good. I wish him that he succeeds and that he progresses.”he told the “Sport Bild”.
“If a coach like Xabi has had incredible success in Liverpool, at Real, at Bayern Munich, in the national team and everywhere, and is a good guy, is so disciplined and empathetic, it would have to be the devil if he hasn’t been successful as a coach.” It remains to be seen whether that will also be the case against Bayern on Sunday.