Bayer Leverkusen are preparing for a significant transition. Following Xabi Alonso’s confirmation that he will step down at the end of the 2024–25 season, the Bundesliga champions are actively mapping out their next managerial move — and all signs point to another Spanish midfield legend stepping in.
Reports from both German and Spanish media outlets suggest that Cesc Fàbregas, currently managing Serie A side Como, has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Alonso. Leverkusen’s leadership sees Fàbregas as a natural continuation of the club’s new identity — young, visionary, and unafraid to disrupt the European football hierarchy.
Alonso’s impending departure — widely reported to be linked to a future role at Real Madrid — leaves big shoes to fill. The former Liverpool and Real Sociedad man transformed Leverkusen into a dominant force in both Germany and Europe. In the 2023–24 season alone, he led the club to a historic Bundesliga title, DFB-Pokal triumph, and a Europa League final appearance.
As Leverkusen look to build on that momentum, two names have surfaced: former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and Fàbregas. However, Leverkusen’s focus now seems firmly fixed on the latter.
Fàbregas, who has guided Como to a stable mid-table finish in their first season back in Italy’s top flight, has earned plaudits for his progressive tactics and clear managerial identity. His team’s performance, despite a limited budget and modest expectations, has turned heads — with Fàbregas even earning Serie A’s Coach of the Month honours for April.
Club sporting director Fernando Carro reportedly views Fàbregas’ profile as closely aligned with the Alonso blueprint: tactically modern, driven by attacking football, and capable of inspiring both young talent and senior professionals.
While Ten Hag could represent a lower-risk option with top-tier experience, his salary expectations remain significantly higher — reportedly up to €12 million annually. Fàbregas, in contrast, commands a more modest wage but would require a buyout from Como, where he remains under contract until 2028 and holds a minority ownership stake.
Despite those complications, sources close to the negotiation suggest Leverkusen are prepared to push forward, viewing the total cost as comparable to Ten Hag’s package but with the added upside of continuity and long-term vision.
With Leverkusen now repositioned as one of Europe’s boldest football projects, the appointment of Cesc Fàbregas would mark more than just a managerial change — it would signal a new era, built on the legacy of one Spanish icon and potentially elevated by another.
IMAGE – Getty Images
