Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso appointed Bayer Leverkusen manager after Gerardo Seoane sacking

Bayer Leverkusen have appointed Xabi Alonso as their new manager after the dismissal of Gerardo Seoane.

The Bundesliga club announced on Wednesday (October 5th) that they had “parted ways” with Seoane. He is now replaced by Alonso, 40, who will sign a contract until June 2024.

Seoane’s last game in charge was a 2-0 defeat at Porto in the Champions League on Tuesday, days after being demolished 4-0 at Bayern Munich in the league.

A statement from the club confirmed the news on Wednesday. It read: “Bayer 04 Leverkusen have parted ways with head coach Gerardo Seoane. The Swiss coach is followed by Xabi Alonso who has a contract until June 30, 2024.’

The club’s sporting director Simon Rolfes has further explained the reasons for relieving Seoane of his duties.

“Gerardo Seoane has done a good job for Bayer 04 over the past year and a half, especially with the outstanding Champions League qualification,” he said.

“Unfortunately, we have left the path of success. The early exit from the DFB Cup but above all the current position in the Bundesliga, which does not meet our expectations, forced us to change coaches.

Alonso is set to hold his first press conference as Leverkusen boss.

The Spaniard has been unemployed since leaving Real Sociedad B in May. In 2021, Alonso helped the Basque club to promotion to the second division for the first time in 60 years.

He then decided to leave the club this summer in pursuit of a new challenge.