Xabi Alonso
The coach who made Leverkusen invincible.
- Role
- Manager
- Club
- Between clubs
- Born
- 25 November 1981
- Birthplace
- Tolosa, Spain
About Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso was a deep-lying passer for Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, and a mainstay of the Spain side that won the 2010 World Cup and the Euros of 2008 and 2012. He won the Champions League twice as a player, with Liverpool in 2005 and Real Madrid in 2014.
He began coaching with Real Sociedad's B team, then took over a mid-table Bayer Leverkusen in 2022 and, in 2023/24, led them to the first unbeaten season in Bundesliga history and a domestic double. He returned to Real Madrid as head coach in mid-2025, but was dismissed in January 2026 after a Supercopa defeat to Barcelona, with Álvaro Arbeloa taking over.
Playing style
A fluid back three with attacking wing-backs and constant positional rotations, the shape that took Leverkusen through a season unbeaten. Controlled possession, patient overloads, and a late-game ruthlessness.
- Back threeWing-backs give width, centre-backs step out
- RotationsFluid movement to find the free man
- Game-closingRepeatedly won or rescued games in the final minutes
Clubs managed
- His first senior job; promotion to the Segunda División in 2021.Real Sociedad B2019–2022
- The first unbeaten Bundesliga season, in 2023/24, and a domestic double.Bayer Leverkusen2022–2025
- Appointed in mid-2025; dismissed in January 2026 after a Supercopa defeat to Barcelona.Real Madrid2025–2026
Honours
- 1Bundesliga2023/24, unbeaten, with Bayer Leverkusen
- 1DFB-Pokal2024, completing a domestic double
- 1DFL-Supercup2024, with Bayer Leverkusen
Records
Frequently asked
Sources
Reference facts (honours, records, clubs managed) are sourced above. Current job and squad details reflect the date this page covers and can change.
Last updated