Bayer Leverkusen hires former Real Madrid player new as head coach


Bayer Leverkusen hires former Real Madrid player new as head coach

Xabi Alonso

After dismissing Gerardo Seoane on Wednesday, Bayer Leverkusen recruited former Real Madrid player Xabi Alonso as their new coach. The 40-year-old former Spain midfielder was hired by the Bundesliga club, which announced that it had “part ways” with the Swiss coach and gave him a contract that would expire in June 2024.

ADVERTISEMENT

Xabi Alonso had a fantastic playing career, amassing 114 games for Spain, which he helped win the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. With Liverpool in 2005 and Real Madrid in 2014, the former Real Sociedad player captured the Champions League.

Between 2015 and 2017, he assisted Bayern Munich in winning three straight Bundesliga championships. After working as a reserve team coach at Real Sociedad for the previous three years, this is his first position in senior management. He began his coaching career with the youth programme at Real Madrid.

“In Xabi Alonso we have signed a coach who, as a player, was an absolute world-class professional for many years, an intelligent strategist and very successful in three of the most demanding European leagues,” Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also Read: WATCH: Cristiano Ronaldo’s priceless reaction after nutmegging Lisandro Martinez and in Manchester United training

This season has not gone as expected for Gerardo Seoane

Gerardo Seoane

Seoane joined Leverkusen from Swiss team Young Boys in 2021 and guided them to third place in the Bundesliga that year.Days after his club was destroyed 4-0 at Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga, Seoane’s last match in charge was a 2-0 setback at Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday.

With just five points after eight games, Leverkusen is second-to-last in the German league. Third-division team SV Elversberg also eliminated Seoane’s team from the German Cup in the opening round.

Also Read: “I’m outraged”- Barcelona coach hits out referee over ‘injustice’ during Champions League clash against Inter Milan

ADVERTISEMENT

“Gerardo Seoane did good work for Bayer 04 over the past year and a half, especially with the excellent qualification for the Champions League,” Rolfes said. “Unfortunately, we have strayed from the road to success.” Alonso will be introduced at a news conference on Thursday, according to Leverkusen.

Also Read: “I have great respect”- Here’s what Chelsea manager said when asked about possible Cristiano Ronaldo signing in mid-transfer window

Do follow us onGoogle News |Facebook |Instagram |Twitter