Europe is still hot with football fever. The European football leagues usually end in May. European players playing in European leagues are currently busy with Euro 2024. Among them, Germany is considered a favorite to win this tournament, and an undefeated champion team has emerged from Germany. The German football league is called the 'Bundesliga', and this year, a team has won its first championship with an undefeated record in the 2023-2024 Bundesliga. It's '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 for Leverkusen before transferring to Tottenham. It is a fairly famous club in Germany. However, they have always been haunted by a lack of league championships. Leverkusen has been nicknamed 'Neverkusen' in a mocking way, as they have finished runner-up five times without ever winning the championship. The team underwent a transformation under Manager Xabi Alonso, achieving an undefeated league championship and a cup championship. They made history by winning their first-ever championship.

We can learn three things from observing Leverkusen.

1. Nothing is impossible - Championship after 120 years

Leverkusen was founded in 1904. Despite being a very old club, they have only won the UEFA Cup, not the league championship. They have nurtured, acquired, and changed managers, but they have repeatedly failed to win the league. This is because Bayern Munich, the strongest title contender, stands in their way. Bayern Munich was aiming for their 12th consecutive championship. Germany was practically a Munich monopoly league. Many teams challenged, but failed, until Leverkusen broke this streak.

Nothing is impossible. Even the strongest title contenders can lose. Nothing is guaranteed. Even if they are strong, there is wisdom and ability to win. Heroes are always born in times of crisis. Looking at the squad, it wouldn't have been surprising if Munich had won, and Leverkusen's squad seemed weaker. It's a mystery how they could win with this lineup. Xabi Alonso, Leverkusen's manager, overcame this challenge through tactical prowess and squad management.

Just like David defeated Goliath, the small can defeat the big. Everyone says it's impossible, and that's why they don't try, but it's worth a shot. If Leverkusen could do it, why can't we?

2. There are no 'forever' laws - Undefeated championship

Frankly, an undefeated championship is extremely difficult. It's not common to go undefeated in 34 league matches. Of course, they didn't win all 34 matches. Leverkusen won the championship with 28 wins and 6 draws. In the most intense of the five major European leagues, only two teams - Arsenal and Juventus - had achieved an undefeated championship since the 2000s, and Leverkusen added their name to this impressive list.

It's not true that you can never have an undefeated championship. Winning itself is tough, but winning is possible in any form. Therefore, it's impossible to say that something will never happen forever. On the contrary, saying it will never happen forever doesn't make it eternal. We shouldn't apply the phrase "forever" or "never" to our lives. It can happen. It can exist. Instead of saying, "I'll never be able to," let's change it to "I will be able to." How do we know it won't happen forever?

3. The Importance of Leadership

Truly great players have passed through the team. They have appointed good managers. But it wasn't enough. In 2022, Xabi Alonso took over as manager of Leverkusen mid-season, and we saw the team's potential for growth. They finished the 2022-2023 season in 6th place, earning a UEFA Cup qualification spot. Then, this year, they pulled off a surprise.

Xabi Alonso was tactically astute and wise in his squad management. He acquired players like Grimaldo, Xhaka, and Hofmann, and sold Moussa Diaby, the team's ace, for the club's highest transfer fee ever. He boldly acquired players who suited his style. Especially impressive about Xabi Alonso was that he personally practiced kicking with the players during training sessions. Xabi Alonso was born in 1981 and is 43 years old. He's a relatively young manager. He was a kicking specialist and still has great kicking skills. Ki Sung-yueng also admired Xabi Alonso's kicking and even tried to learn his skills.

Many managers have passed through Leverkusen, but this is why Xabi Alonso succeeded. Maintaining his own skills while training with the players. Spending time with the players despite being a leader. It made the players believe in the manager's abilities and motivated them. The leader's self-management and affection for the players shone.

When we become leaders, we need to constantly strive for growth and share our abilities with our team members. This doesn't mean micro-managing. It's about trusting, helping, and leading the team. It's important to be a leader who grows together, not a leader who stands back, hands on hips, and prioritizes maintaining the status quo without growing.

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