18.03.2023Bayer 04

Alonso ahead of game against former club FC Bayern: ‘The time there had a great influence on me’

As the Werkself head coach, Xabi Alonso faces his first Bundesliga match against his former club Bayern Munich. The Spanish coach spent his final three years as a player at the German record champions. He won five titles during his time at FCB from 2014 to 2017. Now, six years later, there is a reunion – this time as the Bayer 04 head coach. Alonso’s Werkself entertain Bayern in front of a full house at the BayArena on Sunday 19 March (kick-off: 17.30 CET). Ahead of the game, the 2010 World Cup winner talked about the match, the reunion with old friends and explained the role of the years at FC Bayern in his return to the Bundesliga as a coach.

Xabi, you’re up against Bayern Munich for the first time as a coach on Sunday, the club you played at for three years?

Alonso: I have great memories of my time in Munich. It will be great to meet up with old friends and acquaintances but I’m fully focused on the game.

Is there something special about your time at Bayern as a player that you particularly like to look back on?

Alonso: I like to remember the years in Munich. It was a special time from the first to the last day. My farewell as professional football player happened there and it was something special for us all. The memories are very positive.

You played alongside some of the current players. Does that make it easier to prepare for Sunday’s game?

Alonso: No. They are all brilliant top players and they are in a strong phase at the moment. I do know them but that doesn’t make it easier. Our aim is to stop their players and make the game as difficult as possible for our opponents.

Can you give the players some tips about the crucial points in playing Bayern?

Alonso: Yes, of course I can do that, but it’s always easier to say these things than to do them. We will do our best.

Joshua Kimmich is playing in your former position. Do you see similarities between you and him?

Alonso: In terms of position, yes. When I saw Joshua for the first time, I knew he had a great future just based on his style of play, his personality and his character. He has developed really well. His passes are special, the way he distributes the ball as well as his vision on the pitch. I like the way he plays. He’s a super player in the way he presents himself.

What was the main reason for you to accept a job as a coach in the Bundesliga?

Alonso: That has to do with my experience as a player in the Bundesligas and the final years I spent at FC Bayern. The time had a great influence on me. I knew it would be a good step for me in my coaching career and I’m very happy at Leverkusen.

What do you think is possible at Bayer 04 Leverkusen this season?

Alonso: A lot is possible. It’s down to us. We always expect the best from ourselves. We want to improve every day in the Bundesliga and in the Europa League.

Related News

DFB-Pokal - 10.09.2026

DFB Pokal: Second-round tie at home to Nürnberg on Wednesday night

The German Football Association (DFB) confirmed the kick-off times for the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal on Thursday. Bayer 04 will meet 1. FC Nürnberg on Wednesday 28 October at 20:45 CET.

Women - 09.09.2026

Floodlit home match against Werder Bremen: Women’s Bundesliga Matchday 6 scheduled

This Wednesday afternoon, the German Football Association (DFB) announced the exact kick-off times for Matchday 6 in the Google Pixel Women’s Bundesliga. According to the fixture list, the Bayer 04 Women’s home match against Werder Bremen will be played on Friday, 2 October, at 18:30 CEST.

Burak Kir und Clinton Wilson beim Packen

Sustainability - 09.09.2026

‘Real role models’ show solidarity – BioBrotbox campaign with Bayer 04

Just in time for the start of the school year, everyone was hard at work again at NaturGut Ophoven. For the 21st time, Bayer 04 have supported the annual ‘BioBrotbox’ campaign, which puts together a healthy breakfast for first-year primary school pupils in Leverkusen – and not only contributed 1,904 muesli bars but also plenty of enthusiasm too: Together with the U19 players Burak Kir and Clinton Wilson, Emily Wallrabenstein and Paulina Platner from the Women’s Bundesliga team helped with the packing. The latter was clearly delighted “that Bayer 04 are helping out with regional projects like this and showing their commitment to the local community”.

Football Academy - 07.09.2026

Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo visits Leverkusen

A group of about 50 members of the Bayer 04 Football Academy São Paulo visited Leverkusen over the past few days, accompanied by Bayer 04 club legend Paulo Sergio and Luiz Felipe (managing director of academy in São Paulo) for a week full of football, encounters and very special insights. In addition to the Bundesliga away game in Elversberg and the home game against Union Berlin, the visit also featured a joint training session with the Bayer 04 Football Academy in Leverkusen and a tour of the Bayer AG facilities. The guests also gained special insights into the club and the world of Bayer 04.