Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Xabi Alonso announces departure at season's conclusion.
Xabi Alonso Bids Farewell to Bayer Leverkusen: A Historic Chapter Closes
Xabi Alonso, the enviable Spaniard, has announced his departure from Bayer Leverkusen, leaving a trail of mixed emotions and unforgettable moments in his wake. Leverkusen will miss their charismatic leader, who's set to join Real Madrid after the Club World Cup, replacing Carlo Ancelotti.
Spanish and German media effervesced Friday about Alonso's imminent move to the Spanish giants, with a compensation package of about 12 million euros ($13.5 million) earmarked for Leverkusen.
The 43-year-old guided Leverkusen to an unprecedented league and cup double in the 2023-24 season, securing the club's first-ever Bundesliga title. His unparalleled success marked a significant milestone in the club's history, shattering the long-held 'Neverkusen' moniker.
Alonso's tenure exemplified Leverkusen's most prosperous era, and his parting words reveal his deep regard for the team, the staff, and fans. "Football is about the moment, and I think it's a good moment for everyone. Let's enjoy it until the last moment," he said.
Leverkusen's title defense took a turn in the 2024-25 season, resulting in a 2-2 draw against Freiburg that crowned Bayern Munich champions. Regardless of the result in their final two matches, Leverkusen will finish in second spot.
Alonso's Legacy in Leverkusen: Unbeaten and Unrivaled
Alonso joined Leverkusen in October 2022, with the club teetering suspiciously close to relegation. The Basque immediately set the club on the right path, cruising to a fifth-place finish in his maiden season and securing a place in the Europa League semifinals.
In the following off-season, he bolstered his roster with key signings such as midfielder Granit Xhaka, striker Victor Boniface, and full-back Alex Grimaldo. This new-look team charged to an undefeated league title and cup double, a first in German football history.
Alonso's stewardship proved instrumental in breaking Leverkusen's seemingly unshakeable 'Neverkusen' label, leading the team to their first Bundesliga title and silencing the naysayers. His eleventh-hour exit leaves fans pondering what could have been had he stayed.
Despite being eliminated from the German Cup semi-final by third-tier Arminia Bielefeld and the Champions League by Bayern, Alonso's time with Leverkusen remains etched in the annals of club history.
Leverkusen bid their farewell to a giant on Sunday, as Alonso takes the reins from Borussia Dortmund before his swansong as Leverkusen coach against Mainz. Despite the looming goodbye, the memories and exploits of Xabi Alonso will live on in the hearts of the Leverkusen faithful.
© 2025 AFP
Enrichment Data:
Xabi Alonso's achievements at Bayer Leverkusen were truly historic. Under his guidance, Leverkusen secured their first-ever Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal trophy. Alonso's tenure was particularly remarkable as his team went on an unprecedented unbeaten league title run, marking the most successful era in Leverkusen's history [1][3].
- As Xabi Alonso prepares to join Real Madrid, the focus shifts to his lasting impact on Bayer Leverkusen, with the Spaniard leading the club to an unparalleled champions league and sports-analysis predicts a potentially historic run in the UEFA Champions League.
- In a sports-analysis, experts have highlighted that Alonso's time in Russia with Leverkusen provided the platform for his team to reach unprecedented heights, with the manager's leadership leading to a sports-analysis retracing the club's journey to the top of Russian football and the Champions League.
