Super Eagles forward Victor Boniface will be over the moon with joy as his coach at Bayer Leverkusen Xabi Alonso is set to stay at the club.
It had been rumored that German giants Bayern Munich had agreed a deal for the former Spain midfielder. He had also been linked with a move to Liverpool to replace Jurgen Klopp who is due to leave the Merseyside club at the end of the season.
Alonso was instrumental in bringing Boniface to the Bay Arena from Belgian side Union Saint Gilliose and the two have had a good working relationship since then.
Boniface has also repaid the faith by scoring 16 goals in all competitions before his injury at Nigeria's camp prior to the Africa Cup of Nations.
The 42-year-old Spaniard has led Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga, and they are 10 points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich after 26 games.
Exciting times for Boniface at the Bay Arena
He told reporters at a press conference as his team prepared to face Hoffenheim that he used the international break to make up his mind to stay with the Leverkusen project.
“It's been a season where we've had a lot of speculation regarding my future, until now we've had so many games, we've been pretty busy and focused,” said Alonso in Friday's press conference ahead of his side's game with Hoffenheim on Saturday.
“I wanted to use that time in the international break and take a decision and last week I had a very good meeting with Simon [Rolfes, managing director], Fernando [Carro, CEO] and informed them of my decision to continue being coach of Bayer Leverkusen.
“For sure, all the decisions you have to analyze well. I try to take the right ones, and where they come in a natural way. This is the right way for me to develop as a coach. I am a young coach, but right now, I feel this is the right place,” he added.
These words will definitely be welcomed by Nigeria striker Victor Boniface who revealed this week that Alonso has been full of support for him as he recovers from injury.
Boniface revealed that Alonso had been in contact with him during the Super Eagles camp prior to the Nations Cup and was also there for him during rehabilitation.
“I was in Dubai with the Nigerian national team to prepare. After the injury, I got a message from him [Alonso]. He wrote: ‘How are you?' I replied: ‘I don't know exactly. I have to come back.' The trainer was there when I was examined and the doctor told me that I needed surgery,” Boniface said.
“He said, ‘I know it's hard for you, but keep your head up. We are all here for you.' It was extraordinary how the coach took care of me. For me personally, the news from the doctor was still a bitter disappointment.
“I couldn't help the national team and at the same time I couldn't help my club, which would have needed me too. But the coach said, ‘You don't have to worry about that. You are strong enough and you will come back. And as a team we will make it good for you too.'”
Back on the mend
The Nigeria striker is set to be back from injury in April as he has already started training with the main group as he prepares to get the all-clear to return to action and join his teammates, including compatriot Nathan Tella, for a final push for the Bundesliga title.
Bayer Leverkusen are chasing trophies on three fronts – the UEFA Europa League, the Bundesliga, and DFB Pokal.
