Bayer Leverkusen has earned massive congratulatory messages following their resilient attitude in the just concluded summer transfer window.
Although their 35-game and 44-game unbeaten run in the Bundesliga and domestic competitions respectively ended in the loss to RB Leipzig during the weekend, Xabi Alonso led side has done the bigger job in the summer, and will be expected to bounce back after the international break.
Eyes were on the activities of Die Werkself during the window, following the spectacular season they had in 2023-24 campaign, where they unexpected went unbeaten in a domestic competitions, claiming the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal titles.
Xabi Alonso led side also reached the final of the UEFA Europa League, where they lost to Atalanta. They have also picked up where they left off domestically, beating Stuttgart to win their first-ever German Super Cup title.
Unlike the flurry of big-money signings and high-profile arrivals that often dominate headlines, Leverkusen is deemed the biggest winner of the transfer window due to its discipline, leading to their ability to retain their star players amid intense pressure from outside.
This steadfastness sets them apart not only in this window but also historically, as they’ve done what many Bundesliga surprise performers have failed to do in the past—keep their core intact.
As it is a famous narrative in German football, that every side that proved a threat in the previous season is always unsettled in the summer by the league’s powerhouses, most especially Bayern Munich, Bayer Leverkusen held their own and ensured they were not bullied by any external forces.
A case study was Eintracht Frankfurt’s fairytale run to the Europa League semi-finals in 2018-19, which was followed by the sale of star forwards Luka Jović, Sébastien Haller, and Ante Rebić.
Similarly, Borussia Mönchengladbach, after impressive league campaigns, lost the likes of Denis Zakaria and Marcus Thuram. Even RB Leipzig, despite being a strong contender in the league, have seen key figures like Timo Werner and Marcel Sabitzer leave for new challenges.
Borussia Dortmund is not exempted from the list of clubs that have fallen victim of the narrative. Despite being the closest rival to the Bavarians’ dominance, they’ve seen their top stars like Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze and Mats Hummels move to join their direct rivals.
In addition, the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Henrikh Mkhitaryan to mention but a few have all departed, disrupting a process that could have seen them mount a proper challenge during Bayern’s consecutive Bundesliga title wins.
Bayer Leverkusen : Retaining stars amidst external pressure
Bayer Leverkusen started to win big in the summer and their biggest achievement can be narrowed down to keeping the man at the wheel of their fortune, Xabi Alonso.
A lot of top clubs were in search for new managers in the summer and Xabi Alonso had just made himself unarguably the biggest name available. Bayern Munich and Liverpool, who clubs he shared history with and Chelsea, a club that wouldn’t mind the compensation just to get what they want.
However, Bayer Leverkusen was able to keep hold of the Spanish tactician, who also admit to his joy and willingness to continue at the German club. Club’s CEO Fernando Carro assured that Xabi Alonso has a contract until 2026 as first-team coach and will remain at the club before last season ended.
“He has a contract until 2026 and there is no doubt he will stay here. In football you never know what will happen. But I have a lot of confidence, we have a very good relationship. I am very relaxed, like Simon Rolfes. We have been planning the squad for next season for a long time, with Xabi Alonso,” said Carro at the general assembly of the West German Sports Journalists’ Association at the BayArena a few months back.
Their ability retain Alonso led to further wins, which is retaining all other players that are vital to the set-up. Florian Wirtz, Victor Boniface, Granit Xhaka, Alejandro Grimaldo, Jeremie Frimpong, and others. Amongst the players, Jonathan Tah represents their biggest success. The German defender was on the radar of Bayern Munich all summer but Bayer Leverkusen never allow the deal to happen. Despite the risk of losing him for free next summer when his contract ends, the club rejected all approach from Bayern for the 28-year-old.
Even though Tah wanted to force a move, and Bayern Munich made a late attempt in the final days of the window, with a bid of £24 million as the player did not agree to a new Bayer Leverkusen contract, the club still did not entertain Bayern’s offer.
Leverkusen appears to have learned from the cautionary tales of their fellow German clubs. Rather than cashing in on their stars at the first sign of interest, they’ve chosen to build a sustainable project. By retaining key players, they’ve set themselves up to challenge consistently at the top, and one can now say that Bayern Munich has a true rival in Germany.
This disciplined approach speaks volumes about their ambitions. Bayer Leverkusen, after the success it had in 2023-24, is no longer content to be just a stepping stone; it want to be a destination, one that even players outside the club dream of.
Bayer Leverkusen was also able to make top signings in a bid to improve their squad. Aleix Garcia joined on the back of a sensational season with Girona in LaLiga, which warranted his inclusion in the league’s team of the season.
Jeanuel Beocian and Martin Terrier arrived from Ligue 1 club Remnes for a combined €37 million while Nordi Mukiele joined on a season long loan from PSG Paris Saint-German in the latter days of the transfer window.
It is obvious that Bayer Leverkusen has become and ambitious club, evidence from their summer business. This club is not to be taken as a one season wonder and Bayern can be assured that their numbered days of walking over teams in the Bundesliga is over.
Their resilient attitude will also inspire other teams in the division, and make league become more challenging and unpredictable, which will make it more fun for fans, in and around Germany, and the entire globe.
