Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso takes over at Leverkusen

Under Seoane, Leverkusen qualified to the Champions League last season. However they have made a horrible start to this campaign with just one win, two draws and five losses in their eight Bundesliga games.

Alonso, the former Liverpool, Bayern and Real Madrid midfielder, previously coached in Real's youth system before taking over the reserves of Real Sociedad. He coached the B team of the club that brought him up from 2019 until this summer, leaving after relegation from the second division.

“I know Leverkusen from my time in Germany as an excellent club. Bayer 04 have always had great players, and I see a lot of quality in the current squad too,” Alonso said.

“In my discussions with the club, it quickly became clear that, despite the currently difficult situation, ambitious goals are still being pursued in principle. I am very excited about this task and I am sure that we will live up to this claim.”