Back
29.03.2024Werkself-TV

Alonso ahead of #B04TSG: ‘I'm in the right place, I'm staying at Bayer 04'

Xabi Alonso will remain as head coach at Bayer 04 next season. The 42-year-old announced his decision at the pre-match press conference ahead of the Bundesliga home game against TSG Hoffenheim (Saturday, 30 March, 15:30 CET). Here's the reasons for his decision to stay at Leverkusen and comments ahead of tomorrow's game against TSG.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

At the start of the press conference on Good Friday, Alonso explained his decision in English: "Last week I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes] and Fernando [Carro] when I informed them of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen." And he added: "I feel that this is the right place for me to develop as a coach. I have a good feeling as a young coach. I feel that my job is not over here. I want to help them, I want to help the team, I want to help the young players develop. And if I'm part of the process then I'm happy with that."

Alonso said he used the international break to reflect. The Spanish coach stated: "Once I had taken the decision it was important to share the decision with everyone because I need to give them back the respect they have shown me. I am grateful to these people as well that they believe; the fans, my staff, the players. Now everything is clear and we have two months to give full gas and fight for something that could be great for this club." Alonso shared his decision with his players ahead of the training session on Friday morning.

full focus on Hoffenheim

Alonso said he is fully focused on the home game against Hoffenheim. TSG come to Leverkusen full of confidence lying eighth in the table. Pellegrino Matarazzo's team is one of three in the Bundesliga who have picked up more points on the road than they have at home. Hoffenheim rank sixth for away points with 20 from 13 games.

The 19 Werkself players away on international duty have all returned fit and well. In addition to Arthur, only Exequiel Palacios and Victor Boniface are ruled out for the game against TSG but they are expected to return to the matchday squad soon.

Xabi Alonso

In the few training sessions with the squad this week, there was great excitement amongst the players ahead of the next match for Bayer 04 with all the home sections at the BayArena sold out. Alonso said: "You could see the lads were happy to be together again. We have two crucial months coming up that starts with tomorrow's important game against Hoffenheim."

TRAVEL UPDATE

Due to roadworks on Robert-Blum-Straße / Im Eisholz there will be delays getting to and from the match. Traffic on Robert-Blum-Straße will be controlled via temporary traffic lights. Montessoriweg will be a one-way street. We advise fans to leave in good time to get to the BayArena and recommend using the public transport network, the shuttle bus service and bicycles. The roadworks are due to last to 5 April.

 

Related News

Bayer 04 Women suffer narrow defeat to Wolfsburg | 2nd matchday
Werkself-TV - 30.08.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss against VfL Wolfsburg on the 2nd matchday of the Google Pixel Women's Bundesliga 2026/27.

Show more
Grafik_Ansetzungen_16_9.jpg
Europa League - 30.08.2026

Europa League group phase fixtures confirmed

Bayer 04’s eight opponents in the group stage of the 2026/27 UEFA Europa League have been confirmed. At the draw on Friday 28 August held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, the Werkself were drawn against two opponents from each of the four pots. There are a total of four home and four away matches. Read on for details of opponents and fixture dates.

Show more
Edmond Tapsoba und Christian Kofane vor der Kurve
Bundesliga - 30.08.2026

Werkself review #ELVB04: ‘Do much, much better next week’

In the 3-2 defeat at Bundesliga newcomers SV 07 Elversberg, the Werkself found the back of the net in the closing stages and, with a bit of luck, could still have equalised. “Today, our play wasn’t good enough, particularly when it came to the basics,” said head coach Carles Martínez. Like the boss, Ibrahim Maza also wants to learn from the match and look ahead: “Next week, people should be able to see from the very first minute that we want it more than our opponents.” The Werkself review on the Bundesliga opener in 2026/27.

Show more
Werkself lose 3-2 at Elversberg despite late comeback in Bundesliga opener | 1st matchday
Werkself-TV - 29.08.2026

TV highlights of 2-3 loss at Elversberg

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 2-3 loss at SV 07 Elversberg on Matchday 1 of the 2026/27 Bundesliga season...

Show more
Patrik Schick
Bundesliga - 29.08.2026

Werkself lose 3-2 at Elversberg despite late comeback in Bundesliga opener

No points to start the league campaign: Bayer 04 lost 3-2 away to newly promoted SV 07 Elversberg in the first Bundesliga match of the 2026/27 campaign. Two quick-fire goals from Lukas Petkov (8’) and Cole Campbell (10’) gave the hosts an early lead, before David Mokwa scored the Saarland side’s third shortly after half-time (46’). In the closing stages, the Werkself rallied and staged a late comeback with goals from Patrik Schick (77’) and Christian Kofane (90+1’), but the Black and Reds were denied an equaliser.

Show more