With Saturday’s victory over Holstein Kiel, Xabi Alonso achieved a remarkable milestone in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, an accomplishment that even Pep Guardiola could not reach during his time with Bayern Munich.
The win, which saw Leverkusen triumph 2-0, not only keeps the team in contention for the title but also marks a historic moment for coach Xabi Alonso, who has become the first Bundesliga manager to remain unbeaten in 28 consecutive away games.
During his short tenure, Alonso has set impressive records, with the 2024-25 season being no exception. Last season, he made headlines by leading Leverkusen to their first-ever unbeaten Bundesliga title. Although RB Leipzig ended Leverkusen’s unbeaten run on August 31, 2024, their remarkable away record stands strong.
Pep Guardiola, who guided Bayern Munich to three consecutive Bundesliga titles, was unable to match Alonso’s feat. Despite Bayern’s dominance, Guardiola’s teams faced two losses in the 2013-14 season, five in 2014-15, and two in 2015-16, which prevented him from achieving an unbeaten record.
Alonso’s achievements extend beyond records; he has also transformed Bayer Leverkusen into one of Europe’s premier teams, a club that has yet to win a Bundesliga title. Currently, Leverkusen trails Bayern by five points in the 2024-25 title race, but Alonso remains committed to securing consecutive titles.
Can Xabi Alonso Match Guardiola’s Legacy in Germany?
At just 43 years of age, Alonso is seen as one of the most promising managerial talents. With his contract at Leverkusen extending until June 2026, the World Cup winner has the potential to eclipse Guardiola’s accomplishments in Germany.
Guardiola captured seven trophies during his tenure at Bayern, including three Bundesliga titles, two DFB Pokals, one UEFA Super Cup, and one Club World Cup, making him the second most successful coach in the club’s history, behind Ottmar Hitzfeld (11 titles). Alonso has already won the 2023-24 Bundesliga, the DFB Pokal, and the 2024-25 German Super Cup, establishing himself as Leverkusen’s most successful coach, though he still trails Guardiola by four trophies.
In terms of Bundesliga matches, Guardiola coached 102 games, winning 82, drawing 11, and losing only nine, with an average of 2.52 points per game. Meanwhile, Alonso has managed 83 matches, securing 55 wins, 20 draws, and 9 losses, averaging 2.23 points per game.
While matching Guardiola’s achievements at Bayern presents a significant challenge, Alonso has over a year and a half left on his current contract. Given Leverkusen’s strong performance in both the Bundesliga and Champions League, he is poised to continue pushing for further success.
