Bayer Leverkusen has drawn the consequences of the false start and separated from head coach Gerardo Seoane. At the same time, the Werkself confirmed Xabi Alonso as the new head coach.
The bankruptcy against FC Porto - the eighth in the twelfth competitive game of the current season - was too much in the end. Bayer Leverkusen announced on Wednesday evening that they had parted ways with Gerardo Seoane before the basement duel against Schalke (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.).
The Swiss took over the Werkself in the summer of 2021 and fully met expectations in his first season: Bayer 04 finished third in the Bundesliga and played nice, structured football.
In this season, however, a surprising crash landing followed - nothing wanted to succeed for the Leverkusen team. And that, although all top performers could be kept.
At the same time, Bayer 04 introduced their new head coach, Xabi Alonso. A very big name, which so far has only been able to collect as a coach of the second team of Real Sociedad and can therefore initially be understood as a grab bag.
Simon Rolfes on Seoane's dismissal: "Gerardo Seoane has done a good job for Bayer 04 over the past year and a half, above all by qualifying for the Champions League. Unfortunately, we strayed from the road to success. In particular, however, the current Bundesliga placement, which is far below our expectations, made the change of coach absolutely necessary from our point of view."... About Xabi Alonso:"With Xabi Alonso, we have signed a coach who has been a player for many years was an absolute world-class professional, an intelligent strategist and extremely successful in three of the most demanding European leagues not easy for us. But in our current situation we see no other option."Xabi Alonso:"I know L everkusen 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. In my talks with the club, it quickly became clear that despite the currently difficult situation, ambitious goals are still being pursued in principle. This task appeals to me very much and I am sure that we will live up to this claim."
This article was originally posted on 90min.com as Official: Bayer Leverkusen fire Gerardo Seoane - Xabi Alonso takes over! released.
