The derby of the Bundesliga ninth round is to be played at BayArena, where Bayer Leverkusen host Stuttgart. The clash of the current German champions and vice-champions is always memorable, but tonight’s match could be exceptional in another way – it could be a duel between the current and future Leverkusen boss.Even before his historic season with Lever, the Xabi Alonso was on numerous sides’ radar as one of the most promising coaches in the new wave of young tacticians. Still, after the spell at Real Sociedad B, the Spanish tactician opted for Bayer and made a perfect choice. After all, the first Bundesliga title after 13 years, the DFB-Pokal (German Cup) trophy after 31 years, and the 51-match undefeated streak speak volumes.Leverkusen already looking at Alonso’s replacementThe Spaniard’s contract with Leverkusen expires in 2027, but it’s clear that he would probably leave if contacted by some European giant. Given that his former teams, Liverpool and Real Madrid, as well as the Bundesliga rival Bayern Munich, were interested in bringing Alonso, his current club has to be prepared for his eventual departure.Sebastian Hoeneß is Bayer Leverkusen’s top candidate to replace Xabi Alonso should he leave the club next summer. The Stuttgart coach was already at the top of Bayer 04’s list when it was open whether Alonso would stay last summer and it’s not an unlikely scenario that the… pic.twitter.com/uFO7ni5VPg— WerkselfXtra (@bayer04Xtra) October 31, 2024 Hence, Lever have already found Xabi’s potential successor – none other than Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness. The son of Dieter Hoeness and the nephew of Uli Hoeness – the two legends of German football – took over the Swabians in 2023 when they were at the bottom of the Bundesliga table and managed to save them from relegation. And then, the season later finished second in front of Bayern, recording the club’s best performance since 2007, and qualified for the Champions League for the first time after 15 years.Hoeness’ deal with Stuttgart, just like Alonso’s, expires in 2027, but fortunately for Leverkusen, the 42-year-old tactician has a release clause which Bayer would be more than willing to splash out the alleged amount of €5-6 million and get the manager for the future.BUNDESLIGA – MATCHDAY 9Friday 22.30: (1.62) Leverkusen (4.70) Stuttgart (5.10)Saturday 17.30: (1.20) Bayern (6.75) Union Berlin (14.0)17.30: (1.35) Eintr.Frankfurt (5.30) Bochum (8.00)17.30: (1.87) Hoffenheim (3.60) St.Pauli (4.20)17.30: (2.75) Holstein Kiel (3.35) Heidenheim (2.55)17.30: (2.05) Wolfsburg (3.50) Augsburg (3.50)20.30: (2.30) Dortmund (3.70) RB Leipzig (3.15)Sunday17.30: (1.70) Freiburg (3.60) Mainz (5.30)19.30: (2.15) M’ gladbach (3.50) Werder (3.30)***odds are subject to change***
