Following their incredible double-winning season under former coach Xabi Alonso, Bayer Leverkusen is now focused on the future. Sports Managing Director Simon Rolfes is confident that the club has successfully laid the groundwork for a new era of success and can once again challenge for titles, including competing with rivals Bayern Munich.
Rolfes believes the team is on the right path, despite some early inconsistencies. He sees the current squad as a long-term project with the potential to become a dominant force in the coming years.
🏗️ A Major Rebuild, Not a Minor Adjustment
After the departure of Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen underwent what Simon Rolfes describes as a “huge rebuild” rather than a simple adjustment. He explained that while consistency is still a work in progress, the club has brought in many talented players who are adapting to the club and the league. Rolfes is convinced that this new squad has the potential to improve each season over the next few years and grow into a team that can consistently win championships.
⭐ Higher Standards and Future Stars
The success achieved during the Xabi Alonso era has significantly raised the standards at Leverkusen. “The standards have naturally shifted,” Rolfes noted. He acknowledged that while the club cannot simply “buy” a title-winning team, they must develop one. This new reputation has allowed them to attract a higher calibre of players they might not have been able to sign five years ago. In particular, Rolfes sees players like Jarell Quansah and Malik Tillman as having the potential to become world-class talents.
👨🏫 A New Chapter in Coaching
The transition after Alonso wasn’t perfectly smooth. The initial period under his successor, Erik ten Hag, did not go as planned, leading to another change. However, Rolfes is very pleased with the current coach, Kasper Hjulmand. He praised Hjulmand for being “very communicative” and having a “clear approach.” Rolfes highlighted that Hjulmand works closely with his coaching staff and maintains a strong connection with the players, creating a positive environment for the team’s development.
🎯 Looking Ahead with Confidence
Despite the changes, the club maintains a positive relationship with its former coach, Xabi Alonso, who is now at Real Madrid. “We had a fantastic success story together,” Rolfes said, mentioning they still keep in touch. Looking forward, Rolfes is motivated by the club’s progress and enjoys his work. While he didn’t confirm his own long-term plans, his focus remains on guiding Leverkusen back to the top and building a team capable of securing more trophies.
