Sunday didn’t seem to be the best day for anyone linked with Real Madrid, the latest being the club’s incoming coach, Xabi Alonso.
The Spanish coach had announced he would leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of this season, and played his final match with the German club against Borussia Dortmund at their home stadium, the BayArena.
Before the match, Alonso received a warm farewell from the fans who adored the coach who had led them to their first league and cup titles in history. However, what happened next was not even the worst of nightmares for anyone involved.
Bayer Leverkusen suffered a humiliating 4-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, marking Alonso’s final home game at the BayArena.
Overall, this defeat was not significant. Leverkusen had secured second place and Champions League qualification, but everyone was hoping for a more pleasant ending for the pharmaceutical company’s coach.
Alonso will play his final match as Leverkusen coach next week against Mainz, after which he will be announced as Real Madrid’s new coach.
It remains possible that Alonso will coach Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, but there is no agreement yet between him and the club’s management on this matter.
