Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been appointed as the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen following the dismissal of Gerardo Seoane.
After three years at the helm of Real Sociedad’s B team in Spain, Alonso is now set for his first major coaching role.
The 40-year-old is highly regarded in coaching circles. He coached the team to promotion to the second tier of Spanish football in his second attempt but left his post at the end of last season following the side’s relegation.
ALSO READ: Xabi Alonso Retires from Spain Duty
Alonso spent the final three years of his playing career in Germany with Bayern Munich and is delighted to be back there as a manager.
In a statement on Bayer’s website, Alonso has said: “I know Leverkusen from my time in Germany as an excellent club. Bayer 04 have always had great players, so I see a lot of quality in the current squad.
“In my discussions with the club, it quickly became clear that, despite the current 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 the claim.”
