With 16 wins and a draw in 17 matches in all competitions, Xabi Alonso‘s Bayer Leverkusen could scarcely have had a better start to the season.
With 16 triumphs and a draw in 17 matches in all competitions, Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen could scarcely have had a better launch to the season. A periodical winner in a club career which included stints at Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, Alonso was a crucial member of the Spain platoon which broke through for a first World Cup palm in 2010, bookended by two European Crowns. Alonso retired in 2017 and moved into coaching, masterminding Real Sociedad B’s creation to the alternate division for the first time since the early 1960s.
He came to Leverkusen in October 2022, with the club wallowing in the deportation zone.
Despite some early throbs, winning only one of his first seven games, Alonso took them to sixth place by the season’s end and a Europa League semi-final.
Leverkusen’s brilliant launch to 2023- 24 has suckers featuring of a first- ever Bundesliga title.
But indeed down from Germany’s football- frenetic artificial Rhine- Ruhr region, plenitude believe one of the game’s premier players is getting the coming elite director.
In the Bundesliga, Leverkusen have picked up 31 of 33 points, equalling the record set in 2015- 16 by Pep Guardiola’s Bayern where Alonso featured in midfield.
Alonso told AFP and other media there’s no secret behind his approach.
“I talk, work, show, ameliorate, do collaborative training, individual training, I do not know the name of the ways it’s face- to- face discussion.”
The trainer said he knew his side had” big eventuality” when taking over.
“With a little bit of good work or change of mood and confidence, we could do better”.
While Leverkusen’s pass-heavy style recalls that of Guardiola, Alonso rejected simple comparisons.
“Not tiki- taka” Alonso said, explaining” numerous times tiki- taka is a little bit protective possession. I’ve played in it, but we’ve other effects.”
Alonso’s footballing gospel might be well- defined, but the trainer was careful to emphasise it isn’t rigid.
It’s clear that he understands the significance of player agency, saying” I am not a monotheist that demands we’ve to play a certain way.”
“No, because you (the trainer) aren’t the most important person. The other guys (players) are more important than you.”
“I was encouraged to have my own creativity on the pitch, to make my own opinions.
“It’s not about being robots. They’ve the knowledge and the quality to decide what’s good.”
Viral vids show the 41- time-old blasting perfect passes across the pitch with all the control of his playing days.
The former central midfielder smiles when asked if he’s the platoon’s stylish passer and admits he misses playing the game.
“I should not say it, but yes. I miss (playing).
“It’s not the same” Alonso said of guiding” playing is better, playing is much better.”
Former Arsenal captain Granit Xhaka, 31, arrived in summer and said the trainer has formerly bettered his game.
“Alonso is showing me numerous, numerous small details on the pitch. It’s commodity special”.
Leverkusen’s five alternate- place homestretches, along with losing the 2002 titleholders League final to Real Madrid, have given rise to the unwanted’ Neverkusen’ moniker.
Alonso, still, shot down talk of chittering imperishable Bundesliga winners Bayern to the title.
“The challenge now isn’t against Bayern. It’s against what we can do, how far we can reach, and whether we earn to be in that position.
Still, for sure, we will see,” If we’re then in this position in April. The challenge is to prove we can be harmonious.”
The last trainer to upend Bayern’s Bundesliga dominance was former Borussia Dortmund, and now Liverpool, director Jurgen Klopp.
Former Red Alonso describes Klopp as” unthinkable”, saying the director had returned Liverpool to its place among the” top, top clubs in the world”.
“I would have loved to be counseled by Jurgen Klopp.
“How he is suitable to deliver one communication (easily) and I’ve the feeling that behind unrestricted doors it must be indeed better.”
Describing himself as” Basque, total Basque, but with a big German influence”, Alonso backed Klopp to trainer Germany one day” when he is finished at Liverpool, I am sure he will have the chance if he wants”.
Alonso’s success in Leverkusen has not gone unnoticed, with enterprise linking him to former club Real.
“I do not know when that moment will come,” Alonso said of leaving Leverkusen, explaining” my feeling right now is then and my mind is 100 percent then.
“I am enjoying it then and have numerous reasons to be positive about the future.”
Known for complete decision- making as a player, Alonso said he’d” not be pushed” by others into a decision. Know More Latest Football News…
