Xabi Alonso should leave Bayer Leverkusen if the board decides to sell some of his key players

In a monumental achievement, Bayer Leverkusen clinched their first Bundesliga title in their 119-year history, alongside the DFB-Pokal, thanks to the tactical genius of Xabi Alonso and the exceptional performances of his key players. However, reports suggest that some of these standout players are now targets for top clubs.

This article discusses why Xabi Alonso should consider leaving Bayer Leverkusen if the board decides to sell his key players. At the same time, drawing parallels with similar situations at other clubs and the potential consequences for Alonso's career.

Achievements and potential threats

Under the guidance of Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen achieved unprecedented success. They won the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal while also setting an unbeaten run that lasted lasted 51 games and 361 days.

Their impressive performance not only ended a long trophy drought, it also highlighted the tactical brilliance of Alonso and the extraordinary talents of players like Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Alejandro Grimaldo, Patrik Schick, Victor Boniface, and Granit Xhaka.

This historic campaign has naturally attracted attention from bigger clubs with deeper pockets, eager to poach these star players. Florian Wirtz, in particular, has been linked with a move to Barcelona.

Similarly, other clubs are eyeing Jeremie Frimpong and Alejandro Grimaldo, recognizing their contributions to Bayer Leverkusen’s success. The potential departure of these key players poses a significant threat to the team’s stability and continuity.

Smaller clubs often face the harsh reality of losing their best players to wealthier, more prestigious teams. Bayer Leverkusen, despite their recent success, is no exception. The club’s financial structure and market position mean that they might find it difficult to resist lucrative offers for their top performers.

For Xabi Alonso, the prospect of losing his key players is a daunting one. He has built a cohesive, high-performing unit that has delivered historic success. However, selling some of his key players will impact the club’s performance in the upcoming seasons.

If the board decides to sell these players, it would be nearly impossible to replace them with equally talented individuals immediately, leading to a decline in results and potentially tarnishing Xabi Alonso’s reputation as a coach.

Lessons from Roberto De Zerbi at Brighton & Hove Albion

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Building and losing a team

A similar situation unfolded at Brighton & Hove Albion under the management of Roberto De Zerbi. The Italian manager became Brighton's head coach in September 2022 to succeed Graham Potter.

In his debut season at Amex Stadium, he turned players like Alexis Mac Allister, Moisés Caicedo, Robert Sánchez, and Leandro Trossard into exceptional talents. He also guided Brighton to European football for the first time in their 122-year history as they finished sixth on the EPL table.

De Zerbi's style of play in his debut season at Brighton was characterized by a brand of football that garnered praise from football fans and fellow coaches: possession-based football and total dominance.

From when De Zerbi took charge of Brighton until match day 23 in the Premier League of the 2022–23 season, his Brighton side was the team with 70 percent possession in most games (5). In fact, they had more possession than Pep Guardiola's Manchester City when they first met at the Etihad Stadium.

At some point in his debut season (2022-23), his first-choice goalie, Robert Sánchez, directed 74.4 percent of his passes inside his own half, compared to 64.5 percent in the preceding season (2021-22).

However, before they could embark on their European journey, the club sold these key players, leaving De Zerbi with a weakened squad.

The result was a struggling team in European competitions, as they were ousted in the last 16 of the Europa League in a 4-1 drubbing from Roma across both legs. As expected, De Zerbi faced criticism for the exit despite losing his best players.

He also wasn't able to replicate the heroics of his debut campaign in his second season, as he finished 11th in the Premier League table. Consequently, he missed out on European football completely. This scenario serves as a cautionary tale for Xabi Alonso.

If Bayer Leverkusen sells his key players, Xabi Alonso could find himself in a similar predicament, struggling to replicate the previous season’s success with a depleted squad.

Impact on managerial reputation

The football world is quick to judge managers based on results. When a team underperforms, the manager is often the first to be blamed, regardless of the underlying circumstances.

For De Zerbi, the loss of his key players led to a decline in performance, which subsequently affected his reputation. Critics labeled him an ineffective coach, ignoring the fact that he was working with a significantly weakened team.

Following his struggles in his sophomore season in charge of the Seagulls, Fabio Capello questioned his reputation as a top coach and opined that he is highly-rated because Pep Guardiola heaped praise on him publicly.

He said, as quoted by Daily Mail (via Calciomercato.com),

"I would put De Zerbi in the third tier. There is a lot of talk about him as one of the top coaches because Guardiola sponsors him, but this year he is tenth or eleventh in the standings. What have you won in your career? Let's look at the CV: (the Super Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk in 2021, ed.)

"He is a well-prepared coach, who asserts his ideas wherever he coaches and has a respectable sponsor like Guardiola. So far, however, no one has come forward despite his name being linked to the benches of the big clubs. And then with Brighton he has a €15 million clause: honestly it seems too much to me to free a coach."

Xabi Alonso faces a similar risk. If Bayer Leverkusen's board decides to sell his star players, the team’s performance will likely be adversely affected. Alonso could be unfairly criticized for not achieving the same results, damaging his reputation and future career prospects.

It is crucial for Xabi Alonso to consider this possibility and make a strategic decision to protect his professional standing.

The strategic decision for Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso has proven his managerial prowess by leading Bayer Leverkusen to a historic double. His success is a testament to his tactical acumen and ability to inspire his players. However, if the board undermines his efforts by selling key players, Alonso’s professional integrity and reputation are at risk.

Leaving Bayer Leverkusen in such a scenario would be a strategic move for Xabi Alonso. It would signal to the football world that he is unwilling to compromise on the quality of his team and that he values his professional integrity. By stepping down, Alonso would protect his reputation and avoid being labeled as a one-season wonder, a stigma that could hinder his future career opportunities.

Xabi Alonso’s future career prospects depend heavily on his current success and how he navigates potential challenges. If he continues to deliver exceptional results, even in the face of adversity, he will solidify his reputation as a top-tier manager. However, if he stays at Bayer Leverkusen and the team’s performance declines due to the sale of key players, his market value as a coach could diminish.

By leaving Leverkusen if the board decides to sell his key players, Xabi Alonso would position himself as a manager who demands the best conditions to succeed. This stance would make him an attractive candidate for top clubs looking for a manager with a proven track record and a commitment to excellence.

It would also demonstrate his understanding of the importance of maintaining a strong, stable team to achieve consistent success.