Why Xabi Alonso is staying at Bayer Leverkusen
It might’ve been an unexpected announcement, but his reasons for staying are actually more simple than people think.
Everything pointed to Xabi Alonso leaving Bayer Leverkusen as reports linked him with the Liverpool and Bayern Munich positions. While Liverpool looked to be working in silence, Bayern Munich had openly expressed there interest and even began talks with Bayer Leverkusen about his possible signing. However, after much speculation, Xabi Alonso announced he would be staying at Bayer Leverkusen for another season. It’s a decision that shocked everyone, particularly since his managerial stock is through the roof after taking Bayer Leverkusen to new heights. However, if you analyze his personality and career as a manager, as well as the offers that were being mentioned, his decision shouldn’t be that surprising.
Wants to continue growing as a manager
While Xabi Alonso was one of those players that was destined to become a manager, there was always something about his managerial journey that was different to others. Instead of starting off at one of the various top clubs where he applied his trait as a player, he chose to return to his boyhood club where he began managing the Real Sociedad reserve team. Afterwards, he moved to the Bundesliga, which has a good reputation for developing quality managers and where he’s thrived since arriving last season. Now he’s turned down big offers because he feels there’s still more things to achieve with his current team.
Unlike other players turned coaches who were quick to return to their former clubs without establishing their managerial careers (like Lampard and Xavi), Xabi Alonso is in no hurry and seeks to continue learning his craft. He wants to earn the opportunity and have the necessary experience to deal with everything that comes with managing a top club. Furthermore, it also demonstrates that Alonso believes in his qualities and knows an opportunity to manage a world class club will come again.
Bayern Munich and Liverpool: All to lose, little to gain
Bayern Munich: While Nagelsmann and Tuchel might not have gotten the best out of the squad, the team’s problems can’t all be an issue of bad management. Nothing but chaos surrounds the Bavarian club and everything seems to be getting worse. If all this wasn’t enough, let’s also not forget that Xabi Alonso still has former teammates on this current Bayern squad (Neuer, Müller, Kimmich).
Liverpool: He’ll replace Jürgen Klopp and we all know that following in the footsteps of a legend is never an easy task. Not to mention there’s a reason why Klopp is leaving and it’s not necessarily because he’s “exhausted” as it’s been speculated. It’s because he feels he can’t get any more out of this squad and probably knows the club’s hierarchy won’t make any significant signings next season.
With all these problems, why would Xabi Alonso leave the project he currently has at Bayer Leverkusen to take over a club surrounded by uncertainty?
Loyalty
By staying another season, Xabi Alonso is not only looking to continue developing, but also wanting to give back and remain loyal to the club that gave him the opportunity to showcase his managerial skills. While he’s already taken Bayer Leverkusen to an unthinkable level, he wants to manage the team next season in the Champions League and try to challenge Bayern Munich once again for the Bundesliga title. Even though there’s a good chance that Bayern return to their old Bundesliga self (not to mention Bayer Leverkusen’s chances of going far in the Champions League are slim), Alonso still wants to stick around and help the club during this period.
He did something similar at Real Sociedad after gaining promotion to the Second Division with the reserve team in 2021. After the season, he had been offered the managerial position at Borussia Mönchengladbach and it was originally thought he would accept it. However, Alonso chose to stay and guide the team in the Second Division, despite the high risk of relegation.
Despite the fact they were eventually relegated, it still speaks volumes about his commitment and willingness to guide a team even in challenging circumstances. Whatever happens next season, Xabi Alonso is the kind of manager any club can depend on in both the good and bad moments.
Only a fool who's desperate for a payday would go to this version of the players running the asylum FC Bayern Munich. No manager will ever be listened to until every player there is gone.
Xavi I firmly believe did take serious council about going to Liverpool but ultimately you said it, you don't want to be the coach following the legend. Heck you may not want to be the 2nd or 3rd manager after the legend.
Considering a chance to run it back with this Bayer Leverkusen side in the Champions League had to make it an easier decision than has been made out.
Rumors abound that Bayern is picking this one or that one.
Honestly, I don't put any stock into it.
The FC Hollywood moniker is now well-earned.
Most top managers don't want to go there at this point.
Bayern is a traveling circus that has finally been unmasked after years of arrogant and regressive leadership.
If Leverkusen can hold this team together, it's possible they can do it again next season.