DOMINIC KING: Xabi Alonso has all the tools to be a resounding success as a manager

It is a question that is asked when a player moves into the second phase of his career and finds himself making the big decisions. Usually the research is done on a former teammate to get a character insight.

“Did you ever think they would become a manager?”

In the case of Xabi Alonso, the answer will always be “yes”. The Spaniard, who got it all done as he gracefully patrolled the midfields of Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, was appointed Head Coach of Bayer Leverkusen this week. It’s an exciting appointment.

Alonso retired in 2017 with 17 major accolades on his resume, including a World Cup, two European Championships and two Champions Leagues; he was capitulated by Spain and played wonderful football, his range of passing was as good as anyone in his generation.

Since then he has been quietly working on gaining experience. First with Real Madrid Under-14, then three years with Real Sociedad’s B-team, which he led to Spain’s Segunda Division in 2021 – it was their first time in that league since the 1960s.

Now he has taken on the challenge of reinvigorating Bayer Leverkusen, who are currently one of the lowest in the Bundesliga and are pushing to get out of their Champions League group with Porto and Atletico Madrid behind runaway leaders Club Brugge.

At his press conference on Thursday, Alonso – who is now 40 – spoke about understanding that patience in football is not something the modern coach is afforded and is aware of the responsibility that rests on him to get results at a club with an excellent pedigree.

The situation may seem daunting, but Alonso wouldn’t have jumped in if he had had any doubts. He is an intelligent man and a footballing encyclopedia with strong opinions about how the game should be played; the years he spent in England were crucial to his education.

Alonso was an elegant footballer in his playing days and won the biggest trophies in football

“I took the intensity of the Premier League,” said Alonso Sports post in November 2014. ‘I had to adapt to that without forgetting the understanding of the game and the tactical approach, the moves – was it best to play with Stevie (Gerrard) in the center or from the right?

‘Working with (Javier) Mascherano and Lucas (Leiva)… For me it was like a student trying to learn things. Rafa was of course a great manager. He gave me a lot of responsibility in that role. He was a very important manager in my career.’

That answer was given during a 60-minute conversation with Jamie Carragher at Bayern Munich’s training base on Sabener Strasse. Looking back now, eight years later, it was clear that Alonso was already thinking several steps ahead: take a look at this review.

“Any team I see (that is successful) should be able to play comfortably with three systems – at least,” he said. “They have to adapt to each game, depending on the circumstances. It’s not about not being loyal to your identity. No no no.

Alonso now gets the chance to prove his worth as a manager at Bayer Leverkusen

“It’s about knowing your strengths and showing your players what you need to do every match to prepare properly. You should be able to manage at least three or four systems. A lot depends on the quality of the players, of course. As a manager you have to have good players.

“You have to show them how you want to be able to play and then get that message across. There is not just one type of football. It has nothing to do with betraying your football principles. I don’t see it that way.’

The subject of Liverpool also came up within that discussion. Alonso has always been idolized by The Kop, a point that was reaffirmed late last month when he returned to Anfield to play in a Legends match to a thunderous reception.

Liverpool will always be in Alonso’s heart, but maybe in his future too? There is no doubt that all his former clubs will be watching how he fares at Leverkusen, from the way he runs his teams to how he develops players.

Alonso could follow in the footsteps of Mikel Arteta who is currently impressing at Arsenal

His good friend Mikel Arteta has risen to the lead of Arsenal, which Liverpool will face on Sunday, and there is no doubt that Alonso’s development as a coach has developed in the same way: introducing him to the sidelines is not a difficult task. one day in the Premier League.

There is no sign that Jurgen Klopp, who will be celebrating his seventh birthday at Liverpool this weekend, will be heading anywhere before 2026, but no doubt a plan will be worked on in the intervening years to determine who will succeed the German.

That’s what adds extra intrigue to his installation in Leverkusen – excellent work on the banks of the Rhine will open all kinds of avenues, not least to the banks of the Mersey. This may be the start of an exciting new chapter: Alonso has the tools to make it a resounding success.