[Ecohoon] Lessons Learned from Leverkusen's Unbeaten Championship

Europe is still hot with football fever. European football leagues typically conclude in May. European players competing in European leagues are currently busy with the Euro 2024 schedule. Among them, Germany is considered a top contender for this tournament, and an undefeated champion team emerged from Germany. The German football league is called the 'Bundesliga', and a team that achieved an undefeated championship and their first-ever victory in the 2023-2024 Bundesliga has emerged. It's none other than 'Bayer Leverkusen'.

Leverkusen is a familiar team to Korean football fans. In the past, Manager Cha Bum-kun played for Leverkusen, and Son Heung-min played there before joining Tottenham. It's a fairly renowned club in Germany. However, they were always burdened with a stigma – the lack of a league title. Leverkusen had been runner-up five times, never managing to win, leading to the mocking nickname 'Neverkusen'. But with Manager Xabi Alonso at the helm, the team underwent a transformation, achieving an undefeated league championship and a cup championship. They spectacularly clinched the club's first-ever championship.

Observing Leverkusen, we can learn three things.

1. Nothing is impossible - Championship after 120 years

Leverkusen was founded in 1904. Despite being a very old club, while they had a UEFA Cup championship, they lacked a league title. They nurtured players, recruited new ones, changed managers, and implemented changes, but league victories always eluded them. This was because Bayern Munich, the strongest championship contender, stood in their way. Bayern Munich was aiming for a 12th consecutive championship. Germany's league was practically a Bayern Munich monopoly. Many teams challenged but failed, until Leverkusen shattered that dominance.

Nothing is impossible. Even the strongest contenders can lose. Nothing is guaranteed. Even if they are strong, there's wisdom and ability to win. Heroes are often born in times of adversity. Looking at the team roster, it wouldn't have been surprising if Bayern Munich won, and Leverkusen's squad was arguably weaker. It's questionable how they managed to win with such a team. Leverkusen's manager, Xabi Alonso, overcame this challenge through tactical prowess and team management.

Just as David defeated Goliath, the small can overcome the large. Everyone says it's impossible, so they don't try, but it's worth the challenge. Leverkusen did it, so why can't we?

2. 'Forever' is not a law - Undefeated Championship

In truth, an undefeated championship is incredibly difficult. There are 34 matches in the league, and it's rare to go undefeated. Of course, they didn't win all 34 matches. Leverkusen achieved the championship with a record of 28 wins and 6 draws. In the most competitive of the top five European leagues, only two teams – Arsenal and Juventus – had achieved undefeated championships since the 2000s, and Leverkusen added to this remarkable feat.

It's not true that an undefeated championship will never happen. Winning itself is tough, but victory is possible in any form. Therefore, it's not true that something will never happen. Ironically, saying something will never happen means it's not forever. In our lives, I hope we don't apply the idea of 'forever' or 'never' to anything. It can happen. It is possible. Instead of saying 'I'll never be able to do it', let's change it to 'I will do it'. How do we know it'll never happen?

3. The Importance of Leadership

Truly great players have passed through the team. They have appointed excellent managers as well. But it wasn't enough. In the middle of the 2022 season, Xabi Alonso took over as manager of Leverkusen, and the team's potential became evident. In the 2022-2023 season, they finished 6th in the league and secured a spot in the UEFA Cup. Then, in the following season, this year, they caused a sensation.

Manager Xabi Alonso displayed tactical brilliance and wise team management. He recruited players like Grimaldo, Xhaka, and Hofmann, and released the team's ace, Moussa Diaby, for a record transfer fee. He boldly recruited players who fit his style. What was particularly impressive about Manager Xabi Alonso was his personal participation in training sessions with the players, demonstrating his kicking skills. Xabi Alonso was born in 1981 and is 43 years old. He's a relatively young manager. He was a kicking specialist, so he still has excellent kicking skills. Ki Sung-yueng also admired Xabi Alonso's kicking ability and sought to learn from him. There are anecdotes about Ki Sung-yueng's efforts to master Alonso's skills.

Many managers have passed through Leverkusen, but this is the reason why Xabi Alonso succeeded. Maintaining his own skills while training with the players. Spending time with the players despite being a leader. The players had no choice but to trust the manager's abilities, and it must have motivated them. The leader's self-management and affection for the players shone through.

When we become leaders, we also need to strive for constant growth and share our abilities with our team members. This doesn't mean micromanaging. It's about believing in the team, helping and guiding them. It's important to be a leader who grows with the team, not a leader who simply lets things be, rests on their laurels, fails to grow, and focuses on maintaining the status quo.

#Bayer Leverkusen #Bundesliga #UndefeatedChampionship #LessonsLearned