Bayer Leverkusen just lifted their first ever Bundesliga title but manager Xabi Alonso admits he “doesn’t know what it means for the future”.
The Spaniard masterminded the team’s first-ever league triumph, which was sealed with a 5-0 win over Werder Bremen on Sunday. Leverkusen are currently yet to lose a game all season as they harbour hopes of also claiming the German Cup and the Europa League.
Alonso has been able to end Bayern’s 11-year dominance of the Bundesliga and those efforts have caught the attention of some of Europe’s biggest names. The Bavarians and Liverpool – two of Alonso’s former teams – are eyeing new managers for next season.
The 42-year-old though has confirmed he’s remaining at Leverkusen, yet came out with a comment that has raised eyebrows as he celebrated his team’s title triumph.
He said: “When I feel that the team is behind me, the feeling that they want to believe, it’s much easier. That was my great enjoyment, that I had the feeling that the team was really committed, and once you have that it’s much easier. I don’t know what it will mean for the future, but at the moment it feels pretty great.”
Alonso recently claimed, despite interest and speculation linking him with moves elsewhere, that he felt remaining in his current role was the best thing he could do. He’s still in his first major job as a manager and claimed there was more work to do at Leverkusen.
“Last week I had a meeting [with club officials] and informed them of the decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen,” he said.
“After lot of talks about my future, I used the break to reflect and make my decision. I feel this is the right place to be for me as a young coach. My job at Bayer is not over. I want to help the club, help the players to develop, the board is great. it’s all fantastic here.”
Alonso is tipped to eventually takeover at one of the clubs he previously played at. Liverpool need to replace Jurgen Klopp whilst Bayern are seeking someone to take over from Thomas Tuchel. Real Madrid, another of Alonso’s previous clubs, have Carlo Ancelotti tied down.
Bayern’s new sporting director Max Eberl paid specific tribute to Alonso after Leverkusen’s title was confirmed.
He said: “Your football has thrilled the Bundesliga. FC Bayern’s streak has been snapped, but we will now put everything toward getting on the attack again.”
