Bayer Leverkusen parts ways with Gerardo Seoane, appoints Xabi Alonso as new head coach

Former Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star takes over at BayArena

Leverkusen, Germany -

Bayer Leverkusen announced on Sunday that Gerardo Seoane has been relieved of his duties as head coach, with Xabi Alonso appointed as his replacement.

Seoane, 44, had been in charge of Leverkusen since May 2021, guiding the club to third place in the Bundesliga and the Europa League round of 16 in his first season.

However, Leverkusen have struggled for form in the 2022/23 campaign, winning just five of their opening 14 Bundesliga matches and crashing out of the Champions League at the group stage.

Alonso, 40, is a former Spain international who enjoyed a glittering playing career with Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich, among others.

The Spaniard retired from playing in 2017 and began his coaching career with Real Madrid Castilla, the club's reserve team.

Alonso took over at Leverkusen in October 2022 and has overseen a significant improvement in the team's form, with the club currently sitting seventh in the Bundesliga and reaching the last 16 of the Europa League.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes said: "We are very grateful to Gerardo Seoane for his work at Bayer Leverkusen. He has done a great job in difficult times and has always given everything for the club.

"However, we have recently missed the necessary consistency and results. We are convinced that Xabi Alonso is the right coach to lead Bayer Leverkusen back to success."

Alonso said: "I am very excited to be the new head coach of Bayer Leverkusen. This is a great club with a rich history and a talented squad.

"I am looking forward to working with the players and staff to achieve our goals and bring success back to Leverkusen."

Alonso's first match in charge of Leverkusen will be against Augsburg in the Bundesliga on Friday.