Carles Martínez Begins Leverkusen Project With Xabi Alonso Blueprint in Mind

Carles Martínez has officially begun his tenure as Bayer Leverkusen head coach with a clear reference point in mind: the transformative spell of Xabi Alonso, whose work at the BayArena reshaped expectations for the club both domestically and in Europe.

The Catalan coach arrives at Leverkusen following a turbulent 2025/26 campaign that ended with a sixth-place finish in the Bundesliga, leading to Kasper Hjulmand's departure. The club is now entering a new cycle, and Martínez has openly acknowledged that Alonso’s era will serve as a structural and philosophical benchmark as he attempts to guide the team back into the Champions League places.

Leverkusen’s most successful modern period came under Alonso, who inherited a side struggling near the relegation zone in 2022 and quickly transformed them into Bundesliga champions in the 2023/24 season. That campaign included an unbeaten league run, domestic dominance, and a DFB Cup triumph, establishing one of the most impressive cycles in recent German football history.

Martínez, speaking at his unveiling, made it clear that he intends to draw inspiration from that project rather than reinvent the wheel entirely. Internal alignment at Leverkusen appears to support that approach, with sporting leadership viewing continuity in playing philosophy and squad development as essential for the club’s next phase.

The 42-year-old coach also arrives with a strong reputation for youth development, having previously worked in elite academy environments where he contributed to the progression of several top-level talents. His background is seen as a strong fit for Leverkusen’s long-standing model of developing young players and integrating them into a competitive first-team structure.

At Toulouse, Martínez was also noted for fielding one of the youngest starting XIs in Ligue 1, reinforcing his preference for energetic, development-focused squads capable of playing proactive football. That profile aligns closely with Leverkusen’s current squad construction, which continues to blend emerging talents with established Bundesliga performers.

Sporting director Simon Rolfes has described Martínez as a strong match for the club’s direction, emphasising his communication style, coaching identity and ability to develop players within a structured system. The appointment is seen internally as part of a broader rebuild following a season that fell below expectations after previous successes.

While Martínez has not yet outlined specific tactical details, his general footballing principles point towards an active, possession-based approach with an emphasis on intensity, ball progression and chance creation. That direction mirrors elements of Leverkusen’s recent identity, particularly under Alonso, which supporters will be eager to see re-established after a less consistent campaign.

The challenge for Martínez will be balancing expectations with transition. Leverkusen remain one of the strongest clubs in Germany, but the competition at the top end of the Bundesliga has intensified, making immediate returns to the Champions League far from guaranteed.

Nevertheless, the new coach arrives with clear ambition and a defined framework. With a squad capable of development and a club structure designed for long-term growth, Martínez begins his Leverkusen journey with both opportunity and pressure firmly in place.

From here, the stage only gets bigger.