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Bayer Leverkusen has officially appointed Carles Martinez as its new head coach, describing him as the club’s “Plan B”. Given the inevitable comparisons with Xabi Alonso, expectations are high; yet the Spaniard brings a unique set of attributes that could fit the Werkself perfectly.

The parallels with Xabi Alonso were apparent the moment Carles Martinez arrived at Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Both hail from Spain and both began their senior coaching paths at two of La Liga’s biggest clubs.

Each started their coaching career within the youth academies of the nation’s football powerhouses: Alonso began at Real Madrid, while Martinez, after his playing days ended early, started at Barcelona’s La Masia academy following a stint with Espanyol.

Both managers came to Leverkusen without major achievements under their belts. Alonso was once tipped for an early shot at the Real Madrid job, but his initial managerial journey had its hurdles. Overlooked for promotion to the first team, he left for Real Sociedad to take charge of their reserve side.

Martinez, on the other hand, departed Barcelona in 2019 following internal structural changes. From 2019 to 2022, he broadened his horizons abroad—coaching Al-Rayyan SC’s U19 team in Qatar and serving as Kuwait’s U20 head coach. In 2023, he transitioned into a senior coaching role at FC Toulouse, initially as assistant and head of methodology. His contribution helped the French side lift the national cup, leading to his appointment as head coach the following summer.

In his first complete season, Martinez guided Toulouse to their best league finish in ten years. By the 2025/26 season, the club had climbed to ninth place. Despite this success, the 42-year-old remained relatively unknown outside French football circles. That low profile explains why he was viewed as Bayer Leverkusen’s backup option after their first target, Andoni Iraola, chose to join Liverpool instead.

Carles Martinez stands in sharp contrast to Kasper Hjulmand.

On closer analysis, Martinez’s resume highlights qualities that make him a strong choice for Leverkusen’s managerial position. Under Hjulmand, Leverkusen often lacked a defined tactical identity and performed inconsistently. Supporters can now look forward to a return to the structured, dynamic, and attacking football that became a hallmark of the Alonso era.

The 42-year-old coach prefers a modern, possession-oriented style of play with calculated build-up, strategic use of space, and sudden bursts of pace. He also emphasises tactical flexibility, disciplined team defending, and quick adaptation to opponents. Having employed a back-three formation at Toulouse, he is already well-versed with the system introduced by Alonso at Leverkusen.

Martinez’s presence on the sidelines is another distinguishing feature. Known for his energetic demeanour and constant communication, he contrasts sharply with the more restrained Hjulmand. His approachable personality also makes him adept at developing young players. At Barcelona’s academy, he played a key role in shaping the careers of Gavi, Fermin Lopez, Xavi Simons, and Ansu Fati.

When asked about his passion for football, Martinez once quipped, “My wife says it’s the only thing I’m really good at.”

Indeed, the Spaniard is a self-confessed football obsessive. His meticulous attention to detail has drawn comparisons back home to Pep Guardiola. Spanish daily Sport once shared an anecdote illustrating his dedication: while managing Barcelona’s Under-14 team, he delayed his own wedding ceremony so he and some guests could play a quick match before the reception. The wedding went off smoothly nonetheless. “My wife says it’s the only thing I’m really good at—and she’s right,” Martinez joked.

“It was a bit of a surprise at first,” admitted Bayer Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes when presenting Martinez last Friday. “But if you look at Carles’ track record and our club’s philosophy, the similarities are clear. He has passion, ambition, and the courage to trust young players. In France, he managed a very international squad, similar to what we have here.”

Rolfes further highlighted that Leverkusen’s footballing DNA aligns naturally with the Spanish style. “When I became sporting director in 2018, it was logical to look towards Spain,” he said, pointing to the consistent success of Spanish clubs over the last twenty years as proof of concept.

When asked if Xabi Alonso serves as an inspiration, Martinez replied, “I’ll give Xabi a call, and I’m sure he’ll speak to me. I know him and he’s a great guy who wants what’s best for Leverkusen.” He added that Alonso had demonstrated “how it works with a Spanish coach here,” praising his compatriot’s accomplishments. “What he achieved was remarkable. This is a fantastic club. To succeed, you need to work hard—that’s the key. If we do that, we’ll make the most of it.”

Martinez undoubtedly has the credentials for the job, but given the expectations set by Alonso’s tenure, the challenge ahead should not be underestimated.