Xabi Alonso's Bayer Leverkusen: Bundesliga title beyond expectations but management success is no surprise

After Xabi Alonso's retirement, there was an influx of messages sent from notable soccer figures. However, one particular message from Pep Guardiola caught attention. He encouraged Alonso to cherish his time off, but predicted that in six months, the former player would yearn to get started on training as a coach.

It was common knowledge that Alonso was going to become a manager.

The reason why he stood out was not only due to his behavior during games, though that was a factor. What stood out was his constant desire to learn and his intense commitment. He was able to make playing football seem enjoyable, yet he approached it with a diligent mindset.

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Last season, Simon Rolfes, the sports director of Bayer Leverkusen, discussed what drew him to the idea of having Alonso on their team. He emphasized the significance of Alonso's personal quality. Rolfes mentioned that Alonso is a Basque and they are known for their diligent work ethic.

It's a cliché, but one that's becoming more ingrained thanks to Mikel Arteta and Unai Emery's positions at the top of the Premier League standings. Alonso is a dedicated worker, but he's become more multifaceted throughout his journey. Everyone can recognize this.

When Claudio Pizarro played for Bayern Munich, he chose to wear the No 14 shirt, but this caused some trouble since it was also worn by Alonso during his time at Liverpool and Real Madrid. This issue became the topic of their initial chat. Pizarro recollects him saying that they needed to chat about the number.

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Alonso had to be patient for a whole year to get the shirt, but Pizarro looks back on their season with admiration. He recognized Alonso's potential as a future manager. "We all knew it. Anyone who played alongside him could see it. He was always taking charge and communicating with the team. He was a natural leader."

At the age of 42, he possesses a mature mindset beyond his years. Pizarro refers to him as an "alte fuchs," which means an old fox in literal terms. This indicates that he is highly experienced and possesses a unique ability to perceive things that others may overlook. Although he is not the most vocal person in the group, he is often the wisest and most insightful.

It was clear to everyone that Alonso was destined to become a manager.

However, they didn't expect this to happen.

In case Bayern let go of their Bundesliga championship, it was anticipated for Borussia Dortmund to take over. However, they had an opportunity to do so in the last season. But their devastating inability to triumph over Mainz in their own territory facilitated Bayern's 11th consecutive title win.

If not Dortmund, then maybe Leipzig? Although, Bayer Leverkusen is not the ideal choice. When Alonso was designated as their coach in October last year, his job was to simply prevent the club from relegation. However, to everyone's surprise, Leverkusen is currently leading the Bundesliga rankings, despite being past the halfway point of the season.

On the afternoon of the 10th of February, at 5:20pm, the following post was published on the blog:

I am thrilled to see his success. Xabi is an excellent individual, an outstanding athlete, and now it is evident that he is an exceptional coach as well. I feel genuinely delighted for him. His management in Leverkusen is extraordinary, both for him and his team.

The outcomes have been impressive. Leverkusen has not lost in any contest this season, making them the sole European squad to achieve such an accomplishment. Nonetheless, it's the way the coach has dealt with the obstacles of this initial job in the top league that has garnered great admiration.

Last season, Alonso relied on the counter-attack to guide the team to safety, taking advantage of their quick offensive play. As time went on, the team began to prioritize a more refined passing game, but they are still versatile enough to win through various methods.

Rolfes emphasized the importance of coaching young players in Leverkusen. However, when it came to revamping the team in the summer, Alonso wasn't willing to follow Chelsea's blunder of solely relying on youth. He also had his eyes set on achieving victory.

The action taken by Leverkusen was not selfish, but rather brave and added some pressure. However, it ended up being beneficial for the young players on the team and even helped the more experienced players improve. One such example is Granit Xhaka, who has excelled in his new position since joining from Arsenal.

According to Pizarro, Xabi has placed Xhaka in a strategic position to dominate the game. As Xabi used to play in this same role, he has the know-how to guide Xhaka. He recognized the potential Xhaka possessed in playing this crucial role, and therefore assigned him to it, where he is delivering impressive results.

"He has achieved this with players who play on the sides and forwards as well."

In fact, not only Xhaka, but also Alex Grimaldo has impressed as a wing player. Victor Boniface, the striker, has also shown great improvement in his career. Leverkusen has managed to achieve victories even when Boniface is not playing.

It was common knowledge that Alonso was destined to become a supervisor.

They could not accurately foresee his chosen career as he has taken his time building it. When he went back to coach Real Sociedad's B team, it was not just a brief pause, it took three years of his life, encompassed advancements and setbacks.

Before deciding on Leverkusen, he received proposals from prominent European clubs and now there are even more significant ones on the horizon. Recent events at Liverpool have brought attention to the contractual clause that allowed him to discuss with his previous teams.

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According to Pizarro, he can thrive in any place he chooses to go. Pizarro also mentions that the way he is performing as a coach in Leverkusen shows his potential to be an exceptional coach. He continually communicates with the players and has the necessary knowledge. Pizarro also adds that it remains to be seen where he will head next in his coaching career.

Prior to this, there is an opportunity to create an unforgettable moment with Leverkusen, a team that has yet to claim the Bundesliga championship. This chance presents itself to end Bayern's run of victories. Although larger accomplishments may be in store for him down the line, these upcoming months could still prove to be the most crucial in his coaching profession.

The possibility of winning the Bundesliga trophy is uncertain, but one thing that is definite is that Alonso will succeed. No matter where he chooses to go, he will thrive. It's because he comprehends every aspect of football, which is crucial. This is one of the reasons why everyone believed that Alonso would eventually become a coach.

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