Liverpool legend appointed as Bayer Leverkusen manager

Bayer Leverkusen have appointed former Liverpool and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso as their new manager

• Bayer Leverkusen confirmed the firing  of from Gerardo Seoane

• They replaced him with the former Liverpool and Real Madrid star Xabi Alonso

• Thomas Tuchel is believed to have rejected offers from Bundesliga clubs

Xabi Alonso is new Bayer Leverkusen manager after the dismissal of Gerardo Seoane

The German club has had a poor start to the new season, becoming the second-lowest team to score five points from eight games so far

Bundesliga.

And now Bayer Leverkusen have made the move, sacking Seoane and replacing him with Alonso, as they beat Porto 2-0 in a disappointing Champions League defeat on Tuesday.

A statement from the club on Wednesday confirmed the news. It says:

"Bayer 04 Leverkusen have parted company with head coach Gerardo Seoane. The Swiss coach is followed by Xabi Alonso who has a contract to 30 June 2024."

The club's sporting director Simon Rolfes further explained the reasons for Seoane's dismissal.

"Gerardo Seoane has done good work for Bayer 04 over the past one and a half years, above all with the outstanding qualification for the Champions League,' he said.

"Unfortunately, we have left the path of success. The early exit from the DFB Cup but in particular the current position in the Bundesliga, which does not meet our expectations, has compelled us to change coaches."