Xabi Alonso is off to a flying begin as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. The previous Liverpool, Actual Madrid, and Bayern Munich star was named because the German membership’s boss on Wednesday. In his first match with the staff, Leverkusen smashed Schalke 4-0.
Getting into Saturday, Leverkusen solely had one win of their eight Bundesliga fixtures. Leverkusen has additionally had one of many leakiest defenses within the German league. The membership had allowed 16 objectives in Bundesliga play on the time of Alonso’s appointment. Former head coach Gerardo Seoane was dismissed following his staff’s 2-0 defeat to Porto within the Champions League on Tuesday.
Xabi Alonso wins at Bayer
Alonso beforehand spent the final three seasons answerable for Actual Sociedad’s B squad. The previous Spain worldwide led the staff to Segunda Division promotion for the 2021/22 marketing campaign. It was the membership’s first season in Spain’s second division since 1961-62.
The legend was additionally beforehand linked with the Borussia Monchengladbach job in 2021. However, he determined to stay with Sociedad B for his or her season within the Segunda Division.
Nonetheless, the staff didn’t keep within the league for lengthy. Alonso’s squad was relegated after only one 12 months within the division. Quickly after Sociedad B was dropped, the membership introduced that their coach wouldn’t return for the present marketing campaign.
Alonso’s Leverkusen position is his first senior head teaching job. Previous to the massive win, the coach claimed that he needed to convey again a successful mentality to the aspect.
“We wish to play fashionable soccer,” said Alonso. “Meaning: depth with and with out the ball, being lively relatively than passive and with a robust mentality.”
“The staff has to understand how we wish to play. Dominant, intensive, managed. We’ve got to regain the successful mentality – and that from the kick-off to the ultimate whistle.”
Leverkusen actually displayed this kind of play on the weekend. Alonso’s subsequent recreation might be a house Champions League match in opposition to Porto on Wednesday.
Photograph credit score: IMAGO / Group 2
