One of the most talked about coaches in European football: Who is Xabi Alonso?
With Bayer Leverkusen at the top of the Bundesliga, Xabi Alonso became one of the most talked about coaches in European football. He is frequently described as one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Xabier Alonso Olano, better known as Xabi Alonso (born 25 November 1981), is a Spanish football player.
Xabi Alonso, the younger of two brothers, was born into football thanks to his family. His father, 'Periko' Alonso, was a member of the Real Sociedad squad in the Spanish League during the team's best years and was transferred to FC Barcelona with his performance there.
Xabier Alonso Olano (born 25 November 1981) is a Spanish football coach and former professional player who is currently the head coach of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. He is frequently described as one of the best midfielders of his generation.
Xabi Alonso was born in Tolosa, a small settlement in the Basque Country. Xabi Alonso lived in Barcelona until he was six years old. He later settled in San Sebastian with his family. Alonso's love for football began in these years and he played at Playa de la Concha (Shell Beach) during his childhood. He said that the friendly rivalry that started between him and Mikel Arteta, whom he met in those years, made a positive contribution to his ball technique. This conflict is important in the story of the magnificent passing technique.
Spain Career
Young Alonso, who was part of the restructured squad under the management of John Toshack, one of the most important players and coaches in the history of Real Sociedad club, achieved significant success as team captain. Alonso, who retained his place in the squad after Raynald Denoueix took over the team, attracted the attention of European teams with his performance in the 2002-03 season, in which his team finished second in La Liga.
When Real Sociedad could not achieve stable results in the following seasons, players were transferred one after another, for high fees, in order to overcome the financial difficulties the team faced. Xabi Alonso started his career in England in 2004 by transferring to Liverpool FC, one of the English Premier League teams, for a fee of £ 10.5 million.
England Career
Alonso, who contributed to the team as soon as he joined the Liverpool squad, was one of the biggest factors in his team winning the UEFA Champions League final played in Istanbul in 2005. Alonso continued his success by winning the FA Cup in 2006. During the seasons he played in England, he received great acclaim for his long-distance goals and passes.
HIS FOOTBALL CAREER IS FULL OF SUCCESS
Xabi Alonso, whose football career is full of success; played for Real Sociedad, Eibar, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich clubs.
In his club career, Alonso won two UEFA Champions League, one UEFA Super Cup, 1 La Liga, and 3 Bundesliga championships.
During his 18-year career, Xabi Alonso won the Champions League and UEFA Super Cup in 2005 and 2014, and La Liga in 2012; He won the Bundesliga championship in 2015, 2016, and 2017.
Alonso won the world championship in 2010 and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012 with the Spanish National Team jersey, which he wore 114 times.
November 2023
Bayer Leverkusen, coached by Xabi Alonso, who is considered one of the best central midfielders of all time, who started his coaching career quickly and whose name is associated with big teams such as Real Madrid, seems to be the toughest rival of Bayern Munich, the biggest candidate for the championship in the Bundesliga, this year. is seen.
FIRST SERIOUS EXPERIENCE LEVERKUSEN
Alonso, who ended his active football career in 2017, took his first step in Real Madrid in 2018. Alonso, who worked as a coach in the infrastructure of the Spanish team, had his first experience as a coach in Real Sociedad's B team. Xabi Alonso played 98 matches with this team between 2019-2022 and achieved a 1.46 points average.
The Spanish coach got his first chance in the top-level leagues with Bayer Leverkusen. The German club dismissed coach Gerardo Seoane in October 2022 and entrusted the team to Alonso. Bayer Leverkusen, which was able to get 5 points in the first 8 matches of last season in the Bundesliga, had 13 wins, 7 losses, and 6 draws in 26 matches with Alonso and finished the league in 6th place, reaching 50 points in total.
The season in which Xabi Alonso made a splash at the head of Bayer Leverkusen was 2023-2024. Leverkusen team, which started the Bundesliga with a 3-2 victory over Leipzig, collected 31 points with 10 wins and one draw in the past 11 weeks and was at the top of the league.
Alonso's students had their only draw in the league, a 2-2 away draw with Bayern Munich, which has won the championship in the last 11 seasons.
HIS NAME IS MEMORISED WITH GREAT TEAMS
Xabi Alonso's name has already begun to be mentioned in the big teams in Europe.
The German press, in Alonso's contract; wrote that there was a clause stating that he could leave the team if he received an offer from Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, or Liverpool.
It was claimed that Alonso could be appointed as the coach of Real Madrid, replacing Carlo Ancelotti, who will be the head of the Brazilian National Team at the end of the season.
The Spanish coach has a contract with Bayer Leverkusen until 2026.
LEVERKUSEN HAS NO LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP
Bayer Leverkusen, whose history is 119 years, has not yet won a championship in Germany's top league, the Bundesliga.
Leverkusen, which finished the league in second place 5 times, the last of which was in the 2010-2011 season, has not yet been able to experience the joy of lifting the cup.
Bayer Leverkusen, which played in the UEFA Champions League final in the 2001-2002 season, won the UEFA Cup in 1988.