Respect for performance: from basement kid to undefeated champion
When Alonso took charge of Leverkusen in October 2022, the Werkself had their backs against the wall in 17th place in the standings. Alonso was known to most fans in Germany at the time as a former on-field tactician for Liverpool, Real and Bayern or the Spanish team. Alonso, a passing wizard, a great master of game design. He won every major title as a player.
But Alonso as a coach? Hmm. Who did you train before? subsidiary of the Royal Society. It didn't sound so promising. However, successful coach José Mourinho had already confirmed that the newcomer Alonso had the best possible qualifications for a very good coach in 2019. The Basque showed the first signs of this potential in the 2022/23 Bundesliga season and qualified for the Europa League with Leverkusen finishing sixth in the table.
This season the title was already secured on matchday 29, very deserved! The most points (90), the most attractive playing style, a record series of consecutive undefeated competitive matches. Simon Rolfes can confidently congratulate himself on his brave commitment.
Leverkusen's first championship title not only ended FC Bayern's permanent title era (2013 to 2023), but, more importantly, the “Vizekusen” joke is also history.
Instead of the international coronation, the first defeat of the season came in the Europa League final. Atalanta Bergamo showed Leverkusen their limits . Great games remain in our memory, for example against Roma or Westham. The second title was only postponed: on May 25, in the DFB Cup final against 1. FC Kaiserslautern from the second division, Bayer is the clear favorite.
Refreshing personality: Alonso is an anti-Tuchel
Calm and successful, these are the words I associate with Alonso. This applies to performance on the sidelines as well as in interviews. Answer the same questions with confidence, consideration, self-criticism and sympathy. In terms of type, he is the opposite of the gesticulating volcano condemned by success Thomas Tuchel, who was not forgiven for a season without titles at Bayern in Munich and finally announced his own end there, irreconcilably.
What sets them apart is their appearance: one turned his players into stars, the other turned his stars into players. Leverkusen performed better as a team. Alonso gave confidence to his boys, the atmosphere was good and the coach himself got involved in the training match. Professionals will run their butts off for a coach like that. This type of motivation can now be seen at Bayer 04. Even a sought-after national player like Florian Wirtz wants to continue playing for Alonso.
Loyalty that hurts: staying in Leverkusen, despite the best offers
Last but not least, I would like to greet Alonso with inner pain: that he remained faithful to Bayer, despite offers from Bayern and Liverpool. This means he will be able to reap the fruits of his work alongside the champion team, making a name for himself as a coach in the Champions League and proving in the Bundesliga that the 2023/24 title was no coincidence. Otherwise, coaching positions are regularly available in Munich and Alonso is only 42 years old.
Mr. Alonso, I bow to you!