Why Leverkusen's title is just the beginning

[@HarryJ10]

Ayo is a brilliant podcast leader - fantastic at facilitating conversation

[@SuperJay23]

Agreed 👍🏼

[@ernestprakasa]

Quality questions. Respect.

[@AndreS_22246]

Great work from Chairman Ayo, and the boys 👍

[@emperorpalpatine4681]

They always have beautiful kits too

[@matthewmeunier8031]

I'm not a Leverkusen supporter, but I'm so happy Alsonso is staying. It's refreshing to see a big name not jump ship at the first opportunity. He's manager of the best team in Germany, why would he want to leave to go to the second best?!

[@tyronevaldez-kruger5313]

Already better than Bayern that dominated for a decade straight? Bayern is struggling in the league but still competitive in the CL. I will agree if Leverkusen shows consistency next season to get rid of doubters like me

[@doubleT84]

@@tyronevaldez-kruger5313 Here's a subtle detail. In order to become attractive for Alonso, Munich offered in a "grand gesture" to allow him some say in which players they would buy. Everyone knows Munich buys good players, sometimes even just to have them sit on the bench so other teams can't have them. The trainer has (had in the past) not a lot to say which poster boys they'd buy. Most important to the managers: Illustrous names that would sell them jerseys and posters ... Meanwhile, at Leverkusen, Alonso sat together with Simon Rolfes building a winning team. He gave Rolfes a shopping list and Rolfes actually got lucky to get nearly all of the first picks on that list! And it's somewhat ironic: The team owned by a big company gave him freedom and made it fun for him and the team, while the traditional club handle's sport like a business and can be very unpleasant to deal with.

[@gaara4667]

@@tyronevaldez-kruger5313clearly they are the best team in Germany right now. Undefeated and won the league with a few games to spare. Bayern competing in the UCL doesn’t mean they are the best team in Germany right now.

[@kingj.4432]

Amazing podcast! Could listen to this Bayer Leverkusen team for hours.

[@AlexMann-gh6ke]

Not even one mention of Flo Wirtz? For me he is the player who makes the difference so consistently

[@doubleT84]

And he and Tah are at Bayer for quite some years know. Their names could one day be connected with the team like Völler, Schuster, Kirsten, Vollborn, Rolfes ... I hope they feel at home there and stay for a while.

[@Kyleterp1]

The Leverkusen story is remarkable. If they do achieve the invincible treble, it has to be the greatest achievement in footballing history.

[@74_pelicans]

Ahahahah are you drunk?

[@gabrielbehzadi9182]

@@74_pelicansif they do treble unbeaten it’s up there

[@shivpuri5769]

@@74_pelicans are you slow?

[@matheus.bueno47]

Nice to see Seb again ❤

[@fahadkayani9902]

Leverkusen's unfinished story is incredible already

[@tapirfreund6118]

great talk, really enjoyed listening!

[@1995dim]

Great to see more of Seb again! Have missed him with the shuffle up of the Tifo podcast cast

[@deanslife1]

Having Schick back from injury in place of Boniface was massive, he's well regarded as a prolific goalscorer and he didn't disappoint on that front, without him they could have found staying top of the league difficult and wouldn't have been in the EL. The whole squad though who have featured have been magnificent. Squad effort!

[@captainsmoke1612]

Great questions.

[@Angelus_Krimphove]

Well done, guys! 🙏

[@MegaTimtheman]

On the subject of leverkusen selling players. Surely alonso stayed for next season because he was promised/told that wouldn't happen

[@Kivikesku]

Also, him staying there makes it easier for Leverkusen to sign quality players.

[@MemoTea]

Leverkusen CEO announced there will be one big sale. I think it's Palacios or Frimpong.

[@doubleT84]

Seb sneaking that mug in ... 🤣

[@IggyGoesPop666]

When you compare the new football genius Alonso against a old school negative dinosaur manager like David Moyes you can see how easy it was for him to have pulled Moyes trousers down twice this season whilst he will then make it a hat rick on Thursday night

[@captainsmoke1612]

Xhaka is also U17 World Cup winner and 2 times FA Cup winner. Not like he never won something big before.

[@WH_9331]

He also won the Swiss league and Swiss Cup before

[@carolinemarburger5859]

I'm indeed impressed by the as Seb says squad architecture. Which is sth that is part of former and more recent decisions. And as such a team achievement in all senses. Not a Leverkusen supporter but hard not to love them and their game. With Alonso giving the architecture an incredible static. Kudos to them whatever comes or does not come next. Fingers crossed though.And Florian Wirtz really deserves at least a mention in how he plays don t you think?

[@partlycurrent]

Man, the tifo football podcast is great!

[@deanslife1]

I would have done the exact same thing as Alonso and stayed at Leverkusen If I were the manager. If I were manager of any smaller club compared to the elite and I enjoyed working there and we had won a league title or challenge for it I too would be staying, one I don't like the prem big 6 clubs so it would only be money that would take me there and 2 if I was Alonso I wouldn't go to Bayern as it's like a slap in the face to Leverkusen and it's supporters. I don't go with that narrative that a manager or player is crazy or a bottler for turning down a bigger club, maybe that my biasness of liking the underdogs but if it were Barca or Madrid then I'd consider it or an Italian club but not any of the prem big 6

[@MemoTea]

Leverkusen's sporting director already said they have to sell one big name in offseason. Maybe Palacios or Frimpong?

[@otto_jk]

Like a wise South African bishop said "Inni the Beninging"

[@deanslife1]

I'm English and the game would be a little more balanced across Europe financially if it wasn't for the Prem clubs hiking it up each year. 3M a year sounds perfect for me and be with a club who can win me big trophies, 9M a year to join an already big club isnt so exciting but of course they go for the extra money.

[@theredhall-thisisfootball]

As long as they keep key Players and add necessary one's they'll be fine.

[@sesanonasanya5753]

I like the way, Rafa reigned Ayo there; almost attributing everything to a former Arsenal man.

[@arjitjere1559]

He has been important no doubt

[@tomdreler6528]

How are the Gates, Seb Stafford Bloor? Gates good? ;-)

[@SerioussoccerfanYT]

Kudos to Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes, the transfer committee, the sporting structure, the players, the coaching staff and Alonso. It shows the importance of making early, good, shrewd signings in the market. On a lighter note, I guess you ought to have a Liverpudlian connection to topple Bayern in the race for the meisterschale😅.

[@devidwobinson8747]

Why do Liverpool fans always have to make it about them

[@SerioussoccerfanYT]

@@devidwobinson8747 I don't know. It isn't their fault that their club is bona fide European royalty.

[@ThisIsWideAngle]

Rudi Völler is not in charge anymore. He is now the Sportdirektor of the national team. Fernando Carro and Simon Rolfes are responsible for Leverkusen for a couple of years now.

[@SerioussoccerfanYT]

@@ThisIsWideAngle Thanks for informing and correcting me.

[@ThisIsWideAngle]

@@SerioussoccerfanYT Rudi is still very attached to the club though and even keeps his office in the Bayarena without having any official function.

[@gerhardopperer3130]

you forgot Xhaka was world Champion with switzerland 17.

[@ViewsfromMidfield]

Have a beer Seb. Live a little 🍺

[@stevenlannister184]

I'm sure Dortmund fans said the same a decade ago (at the risk of being negative).

[@efrosvovelu9076]

They won twice in a row and then in the fourth they started loosing key players, so no

[@ryanbailey415]

“In Your Eyes”…John Oliver it must now be your sole purpose in life to make that moment happen on Last Week Tonight!!!!!!! YNWA ❤

[@詹姆斯-k2k]

None of this bodes well for Kane trophy hopes.

[@Vayanovic]

Alonso will leave once Madrid comes calling

[@scottcairns8913]

Sorry couldn’t watch all of this one. Seb’s Love fest with his Beard was getting too much. Leave it alone man.

[@YusufEbr]

This could be a very Leicester like story if you lot don't leave it alone. When you cool weirdo blogger type guys start everyone should just wait on the edge to see if the balls going to drop.

[@hux2135]

Lads, for someone who doesn't follow the league this is 🤌🏿 thank you