“My Bags Were Packed, Literally” – How Xabi Alonso’s Natural Aura Convinced Jonathan Tah to Snub Bayern Munich

There are moments in football when tactics and transfers take a back seat, when logic is overshadowed by emotion, and when one conversation can alter the course of a player’s career. For Jonathan Tah, one of Germany’s most reliable centre-backs, that moment came last summer—when he was just a signature away from joining Bayern Munich. His bags were packed—literally—but a heartfelt chat with Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso changed everything.

The Transfer That Was “90% Done”

Jonathan Tah Bayern Munich

In the ever-evolving world of football, the phrase “90% done” usually means only one thing: it’s happening. That was the case for Jonathan Tah, who had been on Bayern Munich’s radar for some time. Coming off another strong campaign with Leverkusen and entering what many see as the prime of his career, Tah was a logical target for the Bavarian giants, looking to reinforce a backline in transition.

From a footballing perspective, it made perfect sense. Bayern were rebuilding, and Tah had the experience, composure, and physicality to become a pillar at the heart of their defense. Negotiations had advanced rapidly, to the point where Tah, by his own admission, had prepared for his departure.

“My bags were packed — literally,” Tah confessed in a deeply personal column for The Players’ Tribune. “But it turns out that in the business of football, 90% means nothing.”

That 10%—the unpredictable, emotional part of the game—came in the form of a message from Xabi Alonso.

“Jona, Let’s Have a Chat”

It wasn’t a tactical meeting or a formal club appeal. It was a simple message from a man who had earned the respect of football’s elite during his decorated playing days—and who now, as a manager, was quickly establishing himself as one of the most compelling leaders in the game.

“One day, when it looked like the deal was done, I got a text from Xabi,” Tah recalled. “‘Jona, let’s have a chat.’”

What followed was not a technical breakdown of defensive formations or a discussion about playing time. It was something more sincere—more human.

“We went to the meeting room, and Xabi, he has this natural aura… it’s hard to even say what it is, but it’s in the way he speaks and looks you in the eye,” Tah wrote. “Sincerity like that can be rare in football.”

Tah had been at Leverkusen for nearly a decade. He arrived as a teenager with potential and matured into a leader both on and off the pitch. Xabi Alonso didn’t need to remind him of that history—he simply made him feel seen.

“He began talking about the qualities I bring to the team, and the influence I had on my teammates,” Tah explained. “I got the feeling that he really saw me as someone special.”

In that moment, the allure of Bayern—the trophies, the prestige, the bigger paycheck—was eclipsed by something more intangible but no less powerful: a sense of belonging.

A Decision from the Heart

Football, for all its cold statistics and market values, is still a game played and coached by people. The decision to stay at Leverkusen was not a rational one, at least not in the way agents and executives might see it. It was a decision from the heart.

“I kept training with Leverkusen during pre-season,” Tah noted. “Partly to keep a routine, but mostly to spend what I thought were my final days with the team I’d grown up with.”

But the final days never came. Instead, what followed was one of the most remarkable seasons in Bayer Leverkusen’s history.

Under Xabi Alonso’s leadership, and with Tah as a defensive cornerstone, Leverkusen went on a record-breaking unbeaten run. The team captured their first-ever Bundesliga title, broke Bayern’s domestic hegemony, and reached the UEFA Europa League final. The fairytale almost came full circle—almost.

For Tah, the season was not just a professional triumph but also a personal vindication of his choice to stay. His leadership, presence, and consistency at the back made him one of the standout players in Germany.

Xabi Alonso’s Impact Beyond the Pitch

Much has been said about Xabi Alonso’s tactical acumen—his ability to adapt, to out-think opponents, to get the best out of his squad. But for those inside the dressing room, his impact runs deeper.

“He treats you as a person first, not just a player,” Tah wrote. “You know what he did as a player, but it’s even more about how he treats you as a person. He commands absolute respect.”

That respect is not demanded. It’s earned—through authenticity, humility, and presence. Xabi Alonso’s “natural aura” is difficult to quantify, but its effect is impossible to ignore.

It’s why a player like Tah, who had every reason to jump ship, decided to stay for one more run.

The Next Chapter: Bayern Beckons After All

Jonathan Tah

As poetic as Tah’s decision to stay was, football never stops. Contracts end. New opportunities arise. And for Tah, the time finally came to take that next step.

At the end of the 2024–25 season, with his contract expired and having delivered Leverkusen’s greatest-ever campaign, Tah finally made the move to Bayern Munich. This time, no second thoughts.

Now wearing the iconic No. 4 shirt in Munich, he joins Vincent Kompany’s squad as a key part of Bayern’s future. Kompany, himself a former elite centre-back, is expected to build a team with a strong defensive identity, and Tah fits that vision perfectly.

With the Club World Cup in the United States on the horizon this June, Tah is set to make his competitive debut in Bayern colours on a global stage.

From Leverkusen Legacy to Bayern Ambitions

Looking back, Tah’s journey isn’t just about a transfer saga—it’s about timing, loyalty, and the profound impact a coach can have. He leaves Leverkusen not just as a champion but as a symbol of what it means to stay true to a club when the easy option is to leave.

And for Xabi Alonso, it’s a testament to the quiet power of leadership. His words didn’t just stall a deal—they shaped a legacy.

As Tah now sets his sights on conquering Europe with Bayern, he does so with a heart that still carries the imprint of a coach who saw him—not just as a footballer, but as a person worth believing in.