Prior to Bayer Leverkusen’s maiden Bundesliga title win, fans changed street signs on Bismarckstraße, located just outside the BayArena, to a more aptly named Xabi-Alonso-Allee ahead of their 5-0 win against Werder Bremen on Sunday, which saw them end Bayern Munich’s 11-year dominance.
And now, the city of Leverkusen want to honour the Spaniard, who coached Leverkusen to their first ever Bundesliga title. As reported via Kicker, the administration are currently examining “the requirements for an official designation,” whether that is a street, square or path renamed around the BayArena. However, it’s not that simple. This is because as per a council decision, streets can no longer be named after personalities.
Xabi Alonso to become an honorary citizen
Plans are already well underway for Alonso to become an honorary citizen of Leverkusen. Per Kicker, Mayor Uwe Richrath (SPD) “decided early on to have the requirements for the award of honorary citizenship formally examined.”
It’s not only Alonso though. Bayer 04 CEO Fernando Carro, sporting director Simon Rolfes, and Werner Wenning, CEO of the Bayer pharmaceutical company, will also be awarded honorary citizenship.
