Champions League exit could be the end of Xabi Alonso era at Bayer Leverkusen

Within just 21 minutes, Bayer Leverkusen’s Champions League campaign slipped through their fingers. Losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich, Xabi Alonso’s team were firmly in their last 16 tie in the competition. Bayern’s second and third goals in the second half, however, have almost certainly pushed a quarter-final place out of reach for last season’s German champions.

Even looking beyond the three goals Leverkusen conceded at the Allianz Arena last week, their performance was lacklustre. It was in stark contrast to the vibrancy and ambition Alonso’s team played with last season when they swept all, including Bayern Munich, aside to win the first Bundesliga title in the club’s history.

This season has been a difficult one for The Black and Reds. Their title defence faded quickly with Bayern Munich currently eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga table. Now, Leverkusen need a comeback for the ages to claw their way back into their Champions League last 16 tie against their biggest rivals.

“Sometimes from a big, difficult situation, something epic is created,” said Alonso when asked about his team’s chances of fighting back from 3-0 down. “Tomorrow, it could be an epic game for us. We know it’s not easy, but we must believe. Only Bayern can lose something. One hundred percent of Bayern fans think they’re going to go through – we can only win. Many unexpected things happen in football.”

The reality of Leverkusen’s situation, however, is that they will exit the Champions League this week and this could signal the end of the Alonso era at the club. The Spaniard has exceeded all expectations over the course of his three seasons at the Bay Arena, but this summer might see a parting of ways happen.

Of course, Alonso has been linked with other jobs in the past. 12 months ago, Jurgen Klopp was preparing to leave Liverpool and many believed Alonso was destined to end up at Anfield as his successor. Bayern Munich were also on the lookout for a new manager and reportedly wanted to poach Alonso from the team that finished above them in the Bundesliga table.

Alonso decided to stay for the 2024/25 season, but has possibly hit the limit of what he can achieve in his current role since then. There has been a notable drop-off in Bayer Leverkusen’s level this term and it will be difficult for The Black and Reds to recreate the magic of last season once more.

Real Madrid’s interest has never been stronger. Recent reports claim Carlo Ancelotti is likely to leave the Santiago Bernabeu at the end of the season whether or not Los Blancos win more silverware. Alonso is believed to be at the top of Florentino Perez’s wish list, having been an adored player at the club. He would be a true Galactico manager.

Stylistically, it would take some remoulding for Real Madrid to reflect Alonso’s principles as a coach. The Spaniard wants his teams to control possession and play on the front foot. Real Madrid, on the other hand, are a reactive team. They don’t have the players to press from the front. Alonso might struggle to get his ideas across.

Nonetheless, there is a growing sense that Alonso is destined for an elite level club where he can realistically challenge for honours like the Champions League. To make a deep run in Europe, Leverkusen need to over-perform like they did last season in winning the Bundesliga title. Alonso needs a more consistent platform.

No matter how the story ends for Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, he has already made himself a legend. He delivered the first Bundesliga title in the club’s history playing a brand of exciting, attacking soccer that made The Black and Reds a must-watch team for a season. Every story, however, has an ending. Alonso and Leverkusen might be reaching theirs.