Xabi Alonso is going to leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the current season.
The 43-year-old Spaniard led Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title last season. Leverkusen are going to finish second behind Bayern Munich this season, which shows that Alonso has done a fine job in consecutive seasons.
Xabi Alonso is set to become the Real Madrid manager after Carlo Ancelotti steps down at the end of the season.
Real are likely to finish the season without any silverware, which is quite unusual for the most successful club in Europe.
Xabi Alonso Played Under Many Quality Managers
Alonso played for a number of big clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in his playing career. He played under a few big names like Rafael Benitez, Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola, who have played their part in inspiring Alonso to become a manager.
Alonso has done a stupendous job at Bayer Leverkusen, but managing Real Madrid is a different thing altogether.
The expectations are always sky-high at Santiago Bernabeu and Alonso will be expected to deliver from the very outset.
A young manager like Julen Lopetegui has had a very forgettable stint at Real a few years ago, which included a 1-5 defeat to Barcelona.
However, Zinedine Zidane won three successive UEFA Champions League titles for Real Madrid, having taken up the job without any prior managerial experience.
Alonso should be encouraged by Zidane’s example and look to reach greater heights as a manager at Bernabeu.
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Defensive Players Usually Make Great Managers
Alonso was a defensive midfielder and players in that position have the reputation of becoming great managers.
Pep Guardiola, Frank Rijkaard, Carlo Ancelotti and Luis Enrique, each of whom has won the UCL as the manager, have played as the defensive midfielder.
However, with enterprising players like Vinicius Junior, Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo at his disposal, Alonso will look to make Real Madrid play attractive football.
It will not be easy to contend with Barcelona, who have a fantastic team as well.
Neither will it be easy for the 15-time UCL winners to continue their supremacy in European football. However, Alonso has the pedigree as a player and the success and personality as a manager to lead Los Blancos to further success.
The football neutrals, along with the Real Madrid supporters, will hope that the Spaniard becomes successful at Real and help them win more trophies.
Main Photo
Credit: IMAGO / Treese
Recording Date: 14.04.2024