There was a time not so long ago that Xabi Alonso was being heavily linked with taking over at West Ham this summer.
When West Ham take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Europa League last eight they will get to see the house that Tim Steidten built.
West Ham’s technical director not only appointed Xabi Alonso but was the man who brought in so many of the players who have turned them into Germany’s invincibles.
The fact Steidten appointed Alonso saw the Spaniard linked with the Hammers as a replacement for David Moyes this summer.
But Alonso has outgrown those links to the London Stadium with his three former clubs Real Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich all vying for his signature.
When West Ham face Leverkusen in a couple of weeks, they’re not just taking on the Bundesliga champions-in-waiting.
Loss of Alonso farewell effect could benefit West Ham
They were also taking on the Alonso farewell effect.
West Ham fans know better than anyone what a long emotional goodbye can do for a team.
When the Hammers were leaving Upton Park it gave Slaven Bilic and his side something intangibly extra. The ex boss has even admitted it himself.
Everyone was focused and determined to make it a fitting send-off and all boats rose with the tide that season.
Then look at the situation with Declan Rice. Everyone at West Ham knew the captain would be leaving at the turn of the year last season. And it galvanised the club to not only avoid relegation but go on to lift a first major trophy for 43 years.
Hammers had it with Upton Park and Rice
At Leverkusen most had accepted Alonso would be on his way to either Liverpool or Bayern as a replacement for Jurgen Klopp or Thomas Tuchel.
The impact that has had on Leverkusen’s results is there for all to see.
A host of their stars had already been linked with joining Alonso at his next destination be it Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, Alejandro Grimaldo or Victor Boniface.
So an Alonso twist could be very good news for West Ham in the face of the farewell effect.
As widely reported overnight by the likes of Sky Sports, Alonso has briefed the media he is staying with Leverkusen.
On the face of it, Hammers fans might feel that is bad news for them.
But it could actually have the opposite effect. For while Alonso was expected to leave, his team were inspired by the farewell effect.
Impact bigger than many might think
Now he’s staying, West Ham will hope not only will that be diluted but a touch of complacency might just creep in.
The unbeaten Bundesliga leaders’ star players now know there won’t be an Alonso-trodden path to Liverpool or Bayern for them this summer.
And many of them also now know they will be playing week in, week out next season regardless given Alonso’s decision to stay.
West Ham will hope they can be the team to take advantage.
While it may seem like clutching at straws, by the time the tie rolls around the Hammers may be the ones reaping the benefits.
Indeed one European football expert believes the Hammers could be playing Leverkusen at the perfect time.