Xabi Alonso received a fitting farewell at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday. He drew away to FSV Mainz. That might not have been the result he was hoping for, but it still meant he broke an impressive record.
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Xabi Alonso’s final match as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen may not have ended with a victory, but it was a fitting tribute to a transformative era.
The 2-2 draw away to FSV Mainz 05 on Saturday ensured that Leverkusen finished the season having gone 34 consecutive away matches without a single defeat a new Bundesliga record that cements Alonso’s legacy as one of the most influential figures in the club’s modern history.
While the scoreboard in Mainz showed a draw, the result represented something far greater. It was the culmination of two years of steady progress, tactical brilliance, and unwavering belief under the leadership of the 43-year-old Spaniard. What began as a rescue mission in 2022 taking over a mid-table team in crisis evolved into one of the most compelling managerial stories in European football.
Earlier this month, Alonso announced he would step down at the end of the season. Speculation has been rampant about his next move, with Real Madrid strongly tipped as his likely destination. If true, it would mark a return to the club where he once ruled the midfield as a player, but now with ambitions to conquer the sidelines.
Leverkusen's rise under Alonso has been nothing short of remarkable. Last season, they stunned German football by claiming the Bundesliga title, ending Bayern Munich's decade-long dominance, and lifting the DFB-Pokal to complete a historic double. This season may have ended without a trophy, but the consistency and spirit the team has shown particularly on the road speaks volumes about Alonso’s methods.
The match against Mainz was a microcosm of what Alonso has built. Despite going behind twice, Leverkusen fought back with resilience, never losing control of their game plan. Goals from Patrik Schick and Jeremie Frimpong kept the visitors level and ultimately preserved the unbeaten run that had stretched back across two full seasons. No Bundesliga club had ever managed such a feat a testament to the tactical balance and mental toughness instilled by Alonso.
“We’re happy to have gone two full seasons unbeaten away from home,” Alonso said after the game. “In the first half, I had my doubts about whether we would manage it, but the reaction we showed in the second half was very positive. Overall, we’ve had a good season finishing second and having a strong Champions League campaign.”
Yet even in a moment of celebration, there was a sense of what might have been. When asked if there was anything he regretted about the season, Alonso admitted: “It’s a pity we’re not playing the cup final on Saturday. That would have made this goodbye even more special.”
The farewell atmosphere in Mainz was electric. Thousands of traveling Leverkusen fans turned the away section into a sea of red and black, waving flags and chanting Alonso’s name throughout the match. At full-time, they erupted into deafening applause and song, showing their appreciation for the man who brought joy, silverware, and identity back to the club.
Clearly moved, Alonso walked over to the supporters after the final whistle. He applauded them, pointed to the badge on his jacket, and raised his arms in thanks a humble but powerful gesture that reflected the mutual respect between coach and fans.
“I want to thank all the fans,” Alonso said. “The atmosphere during my farewell was truly amazing. You don’t forget moments like this.”
As Alonso steps away from Leverkusen, he leaves behind more than just records. He leaves behind a team that believes in itself, a club that once again dreams big, and a Bundesliga that has been forever changed by his presence. Whether his next chapter takes him to Madrid or elsewhere, few doubt that Alonso’s coaching journey is only beginning.
But in Leverkusen, his legacy is already written not just in trophies and stats, but in the pride and passion he reignited.
