Spain's Xabi Alonso was named Coach of the Year, receiving 35.3% of the votes from our experts.
In his first full season as head coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen, the 43-year-old made history several times over. Not only did he lead the Werkself to the first Bundesliga title in the club's history - he achieved this feat without a single defeat. A feat that no other team in the Bundesliga has ever achieved.
Leverkusen also won the DFB Pokal to claim a historic domestic double and they only narrowly missed out on the treble. In the UEFA Europa League final, they were beaten by Italian side Atalanta.
Already world-class as a player
Alonso seamlessly achieved countless successes as a player season after season. The former midfielder won every title there is to win in world football. He became world champion with the Spanish national team in 2010 and played a leading role in winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
The Basque also won the UEFA Champions League with Liverpool FC (2004/05) and Real Madrid (2013/14). He also became a LaLiga champion with Real in 2012, while the 114-time Spanish international ended his playing career at FC Bayern Munich, with whom he became German champion three times.
A risky move
Alonso began his coaching career in Real's youth department and later coached the second team of his youth club Real Sociedad. In October 2022, Bayer finally approached the former world-class player with an offer - although he had not yet established himself as a coach at the highest level.
Leverkusen took a big risk with this decision - and were promptly rewarded. In his first season, Alonso led the club to the semi-finals of the Europa League.
In the subsequent summer transfer window, Bayer's squad was strengthened in key positions. Alejandro Grimaldo arrived on a free transfer from Benfica and developed into a Spanish international under Alonso's guidance. A transfer fee of around €20 million was paid to Union SG for Victor Boniface, and the Nigerian repaid their faith by contributing 23 goals (14 goals, nine assists) in his first season.
The fact that Leverkusen eventually secured the German double and remained unbeaten in 52 consecutive competitive matches was primarily down to Alonso and his coaching team. Within a very short space of time, he moulded a talented team into an almost unbeatable side that not only impressed with its playing ability but also with its incredible mentality.
Wise decision
The fact that Alonso did not immediately look for the next challenge after the fabulous 2023/24 season - his former clubs Liverpool, Real and FC Bayern were rumoured to be interested - was a wise decision. Because in Leverkusen, he is not exposed to the same harsh spotlight that would inevitably be the case at the world's biggest clubs.
As a result, even after a mixed start to the season, there was no unrest at the German champions. He took the bitter defeats against RB Leipzig (3-2) and at his old club Liverpool (4-0) in his stride.
Alonso also proved to be a pragmatist. At the end of September, some of his players suffered from an undeniable loss of form. The Spaniard therefore opted for an extremely defensive tactic for the match at Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich. This strategy was almost rewarded with a win, but in the end, Leverkusen had to settle for a 1-1 draw.
Will the next title beckon?
Bayer have already made an impression on the UEFA Champions League. They are right up there at the top of the league phase and have a realistic chance of advancing directly to the round of 16.
Alonso is tied to the Werkself until the summer of 2026 but the partnership may come to an end a year earlier. After all, Real coach Carlo Ancelotti (65) is not getting any younger. According to rumours, Los Blancos are also interested in Bayer star Florian Wirtz.
Irrespective of this, Leverkusen are also regarded as contenders in all competitions in the 2024/25 season. This is because Alonso has not only instilled a modern, eye-catching style of play but also a winning mentality that did not previously exist at the club.