Bayer Leverkusen carved their name into German football history books on the final matchday of the 2024-25 Bundesliga season, achieving what no other club has accomplished before. Their 2-2 draw against Mainz may have seemed ordinary on the surface, but it secured an extraordinary Leverkusen unbeaten away record that now spans two complete seasons – a first in the competition’s 61-year history.
The achievement comes as manager Xabi Alonso prepares to depart the club after three transformative years, with strong indications pointing toward him taking the reins at Real Madrid. The Spanish tactician leaves behind a remarkable legacy, having guided Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title in 2023-24 with an unprecedented undefeated campaign across all 34 matches. While this season saw the club surrender their crown to Bayern Munich, their road form remained impeccable – 17 away matches without defeat following last season’s perfect away record.
This Leverkusen unbeaten away record now stands at 34 consecutive matches on opposition turf, surpassing Bayern Munich’s previous benchmark of 33 set between 2012-2014 under coaches Jupp Heynckes and Pep Guardiola. What makes Leverkusen’s feat more impressive is that Alonso alone orchestrated this consistency, unlike Bayern’s record which required two different managers. In February, Alonso had already surpassed Udo Lattek’s single-coach record of 27 unbeaten away matches, and he extended that mark to 34 before his departure.
The numbers behind this Leverkusen unbeaten away record reveal both dominance and resilience. Across these 34 matches, Die Werkself claimed 23 victories while settling for 11 draws. Their away form provided the foundation for last season’s domestic double (Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal) and maintained respectability this campaign despite losing three home matches. The team’s ability to perform in hostile environments became their trademark under Alonso’s guidance.
As Leverkusen players celebrated their historic achievement at Mewa Arena, the bittersweet reality of Alonso’s impending exit loomed large. The 43-year-old coach, who had one year remaining on his contract, decided to seek new challenges after transforming Leverkusen from Europa League participants to German champions. His likely destination appears to be the Santiago Bernabéu, where Carlo Ancelotti’s expected move to coach Brazil’s national team creates a vacancy at football’s most decorated club.
Alonso’s potential Madrid appointment would mark a homecoming for the former midfield maestro, who won numerous trophies there as a player. His work at Leverkusen, particularly in establishing this Leverkusen unbeaten away record, demonstrates the tactical acumen and man-management skills that make him an attractive candidate for elite clubs. The Basque manager implemented an attractive, possession-based style while instilling remarkable mental toughness in his squad – qualities that translated into their unprecedented away form.
While Leverkusen’s domestic trophy cabinet won’t expand this season, their place in Bundesliga history is secure. The club now holds multiple records including longest unbeaten run (51 games across all competitions last season) and this new benchmark for away match consistency. Their ability to maintain such standards despite losing key players like Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong to transfers speaks volumes about Alonso’s squad-building capabilities.
The transition to a post-Alonso era begins immediately for Leverkusen, who must now defend their Leverkusen unbeaten away record without the architect of their success. Club executives face the daunting task of finding a successor who can maintain the high standards set by the departing coach while navigating an increasingly competitive Bundesliga landscape where Bayern Munich have reclaimed their throne and challengers like Stuttgart continue to rise.
For Bundesliga historians and statisticians, this Leverkusen unbeaten away record may stand for years given the difficulty of maintaining such consistency in modern football. The achievement underscores how Alonso transformed Leverkusen from perennial “neverkusen” underachievers into history-makers who rewrote the German football record books during his brief but impactful tenure.
As the Bundesliga curtain falls on another season, Leverkusen’s accomplishment provides a fitting farewell to one of the league’s most respected managers. The club’s August 22 season opener will mark the first opportunity to extend their remarkable away streak, but it will be another manager guiding that effort as Alonso likely prepares for his first Clásico as Real Madrid boss. Regardless of what comes next, the Leverkusen unbeaten away record ensures Alonso’s Bundesliga legacy remains intact.
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