Towards the end of the year, we traditionally ask the editors of our 14 worldwide newsrooms to vote for our annual Flashscore Awards. We commemorate the best and most important characters and moments of the past football year. Over 50 votes were cast in each category.Spain’s Xabi Alonso was elected Coach of the Year, getting 35.3% of the votes from our experts.
In his first full season as head coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the 43-year-old made history multiple times over. Not only did he lead the Werkself to the first Bundesliga title in the club’s history – he achieved this achievement without a single defeat. A achievement that no other team in the Bundesliga has ever achieved
Leverkusen also won the DFB Pokal to clinch a record domestic double and they very narrowly missed out on the treble. In the UEFA Europa League final, they were beaten by Italian side Atalanta.
Already world-class as a player
Alonso easily accomplished multiple victories as a footballer season after season. The former midfielder won every title there is to win in world football. He won world champion with the Spanish national team in 2010 and played a significant part in winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
The Basque also won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool FC (2004/05) and Real Madrid (2013/14). He also became a LaLiga champion with Real in 2012, while the 114-time Spanish international completed his playing career at FC Bayern Munich, with whom he became German title three times.
A dangerous move
Alonso began his coaching career in Real’s youth department and eventually led the second squad of his youth club Real Sociedad. In October 2022, Bayer eventually approached the former world-class player with an offer – although he had not yet proved himself as a coach at the highest level.
Leverkusen took a significant risk with this choice – and were soon rewarded. In his debut season, Alonso led the team to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
In the subsequent summer transfer window, Bayer’s team was strengthened in important spots. Alejandro Grimaldo joined on a free transfer from Benfica and blossomed into a Spanish international under Alonso’s coaching. A transfer fee of roughly €20 million was paid to Union SG for Victor Boniface, and the Nigerian rewarded their faith by contributing 23 goals (14 goals, nine assists) in his first season.
The fact that Leverkusen eventually achieved the German double and remained unbeaten in 52 straight competitive matches was entirely attributable to Alonso and his coaching squad. Within a relatively short length of time, he transformed a promising team into an almost invincible side that not only dazzled with its playing ability but also with its outstanding mindset.
Wise decision
The fact that Alonso did not immediately go for the next challenge after the fantastic 2023/24 season – his former teams Liverpool, Real and FC Bayern were believed to be interested – was a wise decision. Because in Leverkusen, he is not exposed to the same harsh scrutiny that would certainly be the case at the world’s biggest clubs.
As a result, even after a mixed start to the season, there was no unrest at the German champions. He absorbed the harsh defeats against RB Leipzig (3-2) and at his previous club Liverpool (4-0) in his stride.
Alonso also showed to be a pragmatic. At the end of September, some of his players suffered from an undeniable lack of form. The Spaniard therefore opted for a highly defensive tactic for the match at Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. This plan was almost rewarded with a win, but in the end, Leverkusen had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Will the next title beckon?
Bayer have already made an impression on the UEFA Champions League. They are right up there at the top of the league phase and have a legitimate possibility of moving directly to the round of 16.
Alonso is committed to the Werkself until the summer of 2026 but the agreement may come to an end a year earlier. After all, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti (65) is not getting any younger. According to reports, Los Blancos are also interested in Bayer star Florian Wirtz.
Irrespective of this, Leverkusen are also viewed as contenders in all tournaments in the 2024/25 season. This is because Alonso has not only instilled a new, eye-catching style of play but also a winning attitude that did not previously exist at the club.
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