Xhaka training 5th tier German side while playing under Xabi Alonso

Bayer Leverkusen will be looking to move closer to the Europa League final on Thursday. The German side visit the Olimpico, where they will face a Roma side that narrowly denied them a place in the final of the competition almost a year ago. Then, too, the first leg was played in Italy, with Mou's side winning 1-0, and Xabi Alonso's side were unable to break the 0-0 scoreline in the return leg.

That was one of the last disappointments for a team that has performed brilliantly in the 2023-24 season. Unbeaten, Xabi Alonso has found an on-field extension in the form of Granit Xhaka. The veteran Swiss midfielder was already a man of hierarchy at Arsenal and has continued to fulfil that role for the Bay Arena outfit.

As well as being a key player in the success of the new Bundesliga champions, Xhaka has continued his training as a coach this season. At club level, he has had the best teacher in Xabi Alonso, who has been the surprise package of the season in Europe. In parallel to his games on the pitch, Xhaka has continued his studies to obtain his UEFA A licence so that he can coach at the highest level in the future.

 

April 30, 2024

During this time, the Swiss has combined training with Bayer Leverkusen and has been in charge of several sessions at SC Union Nettetal. This team from the German fifth tier - Oberliga - is in 10th place in the championship, with no big problems and no excessive aspirations, and has been the perfect place for Xhaka to have his first experiences as a coach.

As 'Relevo' reports, the choice of team was easy for the Swiss international: his brother-in-law plays there and the coach already has a UEFA A licence. In addition, he had already been a regular at SC Union Nettetal before his move to Arsenal, when he played for Borussia Monchengladbach, as a friend of his played for the club.

Both Xabi Alonso and Mikel Arteta have praised the player's leadership skills on the pitch, and teammates from the present and the past say that he has already shown signs that he could be a coach in the future. Despite the pressure not to fail at Bayer Leverkusen this season, Xhaka has been able to combine his training and the official competition perfectly and it looks like we will soon have another ex-footballer with clear ideas and a bright future in the dugout.