Though the stunning unbeaten campaign of 2023-24 — which may yet be capped by Europa League and German Cup triumphs — has captured global attention, Bayer Leverkusen's charge to a first Bundesliga title has its origins in a miserable start to the previous campaign. Gerardo Seoane, who had overseen a third-placed finish the season before, was gone by October 2022, having won just five points from the first eight games.
The subsequent appointment of Xabi Alonso, who had never coached a senior side before, was something of a risk, with Leverkusen in real danger of following other German heavyweights such as Schalke, Hamburg and Hertha Berlin into the second division.
"This shouldn't be viewed as an experiment for Leverkusen. It's not about experience: It's about quality," sporting director Simon Rolfes said on Alonso's appointment. "There's always an element of risk involved, but you always have to improve. I'm absolutely convinced it will work out."
It's fair to say it did. After mixed results in his first month, Alonso's style started to come through. A system based on control of possession, width from wingbacks and a high press saw Leverkusen pick up 46 points from their last 24 games, qualify for the Europa League and confirm the cerebral former Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder as a coach to watch.
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