Bayer Leverkusen has confirmed the departure of head coach Gerardo Seoane while immediately appointing former Real Sociedad B manager Xabi Alonso as a successor to the Swiss professional on a contract until June 2024.
Seoane was dismissed after overseeing just one win in eight Bundesliga games and following the second loss in Champions League Group B.
Alonso takes over at Bayer Leverkusen in what will become his first senior coaching role since retiring from playing football in 2017.
The 40-year-old, who has previously managed the Real Madrid youths as well as team B at his boyhood club Real Sociedad, has agreed to terms with the BayArena until 30 June 2024.
The decision comes following Bayer Leverkusen’s 2-0 defeat against Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The defeat in Portugal meant that Bayer Leverkusen have won just two of their 11 games across all competitions this season.
Xabi Alonso has had a prestigious career playing for Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, winning the Champions League, the European championships and the World cup during his playing years.
“In Xabi Alonso, we have signed a coach who, as a player, was an absolute world class professional for many years, an intelligent strategist and extremely successful in three of the most demanding European leagues,” said sporting director Simon Rolfes.
