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On 14 April 2024, Bayer Leverkusen became German champions for the first time. Granit Xhaka scored in the 5–0 win against Werder Bremen. The Swiss midfielder is captain and record appearance holder of his national team. A few years earlier, his time as a leading player in London was considered over. His path illustrates the Law of Process: leadership develops daily, not in a day.
The low point
Situation
On 27 September 2019, Xhaka became captain of Arsenal FC. Exactly one month later he was substituted against Crystal Palace and booed by his own fans. He reacted with gestures and words and took off his shirt. On 5 November 2019 he lost the captaincy.
Link to the law
A title does not make a leader. A single moment can cost someone a position, but it does not end a process of development. What matters is what happens in the weeks that follow.
Taking responsibility and staying
Situation
The club published a statement by Xhaka about the incident. A departure in January 2020 was considered very likely. The new manager, Mikel Arteta, stood by him. Xhaka later spoke of a second chance that Arteta had given him.
Link to the law
Anyone who takes responsibility for a mistake lays the foundation for a new start. Just as important is a superior who believes that development is possible. Leaders can be both: the one who faces up to things and the one who gives a second chance.
Years of unspectacular work
Situation
Xhaka stayed at Arsenal for another three and a half years. According to Wikipedia, from February 2022 he was in the starting line-up in the Premier League without interruption. He did not get the armband back, but his role in the team grew nonetheless.
Link to the law
Trust does not return through a gesture, but through many reliable days. Influence does not depend on the position. Those who lead without a title build the foundation for later tasks.
The mind of an unbeaten team
Situation
On 6 July 2023, Xhaka moved to Bayer Leverkusen for 25 million euros. In the 2023/24 season the team won the championship without a defeat, as well as the DFB-Pokal. Xhaka scored the winning goal in the cup final on 25 May 2024.
Link to the law
The fruits of daily development often show in a new place. What looks like a sudden rise there is the result of earlier years. Leaders should measure maturity by habits, not by individual performances.
Development does not stop
Situation
On 15 October 2023, Xhaka equalled the Swiss record with 118 international matches and then surpassed it. On 30 July 2025 he moved to newly promoted Sunderland AFC and became captain there. According to Wikipedia, Sunderland finished the 2025/26 season in seventh place. At the 2026 World Cup he stood at 152 international matches on 18 June.
Link to the law
Those who develop daily look for new tasks even late in their career. The renewed captaincy in England shows that a lost position is not the last word. Development is a process without an end date.
Key takeaways
Key lessons
- See a setback as a stage, not as a verdict.
- Take responsibility for your mistake before you expect trust.
- Lead even without a title through reliable performance.
- Give employees a genuine second chance after a mistake.
- Look for new tasks once you have settled into the old ones.
Summary
Granit Xhaka lost his captaincy in 2019 after a few weeks. He stayed, worked steadily and became the mind of an unbeaten championship team. Today he is captain at his club and in the national team. His path shows that leadership grows over years.