Xabi Alonso Feature

Xabi Alonso is a retired Spanish footballer and current football manager, known for his exceptional passing range, tactical intelligence, and leadership on and off the pitch. Here’s an overview of his career and contributions REAL MADRID

Playing Career , Full Name: Xabier Alonso Olano November 25, 1981, in Tolosa, Spain Central Midfielder Real Sociedad (1999–2004) Alonso started his career at his hometown club, becoming a key figure in their midfield and helping them achieve a second-place finish in La Liga during the 2002-03 season.

Liverpool (2004–2009) Alonso moved to Liverpool for around £10.5 million and became a fan favorite.He was instrumental in Liverpool’s success, including their dramatic 2005 UEFA Champions League victory, where he scored the equalizer in the final against AC Milan.Also won the FA Cup (2006) and the UEFA Super Cup (2005).

Real Madrid (2009–2014) Signed by Real Madrid for approximately €30 million.Alonso anchored Madrid’s midfield, contributing to their 2011-12 La Liga title and 2013-14 UEFA Champions League win (La Décima) unner-up in the UEFA Champions League in 2001/02. Zinedine Zidane’s wonder goal in that

final prevented Bayer Leverkusen from being the fourth German club to win the European Cup. Likewise, Bayer Leverkusen has finished runner-up five times in the Bundesliga. That is the most by any team that has never won the compe

Bayern Munich (2014–2017) Joined Bayern on a free transfer, bringing experience and control to their midfield.Won three consecutive Bundesliga titles before retiring in 2017 International Career Represented Spain (2003–2014), earning 114 caps and scoring 16 goals.Played a pivotal role in Spain’s golden era, winning: FIFA World Cup: 2010 UEFA European Championship: 2008, 2012

Managerial Career After retiring, Alonso transitioned to coaching, bringing his football intelligence to the sideline: Bayer Leverkusen (2022–Present): Appointed as head coach of Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022. Under his management, the team has shown significant progress in both domestic and European competitions. Real Madrid Youth Teams (2018–2019): Began his managerial career with Real Madrid’s youth setup. Real Sociedad B (2019–2022): Managed the reserve team, guiding them to promotion to the Segunda División.

Playing Style Xabi Alonso was renowned for his: Defensive Contributions: While not the quickest player, he excelled at reading the game and intercepting passes. Passing Ability: His long-range passes and vision were second to none. Composure: Rarely rattled under pressure, Alonso dictated the tempo of games.

After all, they set a new Bundesliga record for most games unbeaten (29) from the start of a season after avoiding defeat to Werder on Sunday, but that undefeated streak isn’t just limited to the Bundesliga; they’ve not lost in any competition in 2023-24, with their most recent victory taking them to 43 games without defeat. Their 38 wins this term is also already a club record

Leverkusen’s victory was significant because it left them with a 66% likelihood of going on to win the title, according to the Opta supercomputer at the time. Any other outcome would’ve seen Bayern remain the favourites with the projection model, their title chances rated at 54% if it’d been a draw and 73% had they won. It’s also worth noting that Thomas Tuchel’s men would’ve returned to the summit with victory.

Leverkusen needed to come from behind to win the German Supercup in August, and gave away a two-goal lead in last week’s Bundesliga opener at Borussia Moenchengladbach before coming back to win 3-2.

While it was a good day for RB Leipzig, it was one that ended in embarrassment for head coach Marco Rose who was sent to the stands after being booked twice for dissent.

As well as losing their stunning unbeaten run, defeat for Bayer Leverkusen means that Alonso’s side have picked up three points from a possible six as they look to retain their Bundesliga crown.

As a manager, Xabi Alonso has quickly made a name for himself by blending tactical intelligence, modern football principles, and his vast experience as a world-class player. Here’s a closer look at his managerial journey and style:

Mentors: Worked under top managers like Rafa Benítez, Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, and José Mourinho during his playing career. Each shaped his understanding of tactical flexibility, discipline, and game management.Vision: Alonso aims to combine discipline, tactical intelligence, and attacking flair

Liverpool have already won the Carabao Cup title and are in the hunt to secure a quadruple of trophies, with the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup still up for grabs this campaign. Alonso is enjoying a fantastic season at Leverkusen and has captured the attention of some of the continent’s biggest clubs as he prepares for a potential summer move.

Liverpool are reportedly attracted to the services of Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, who is enjoying a fine season in Germany. The 42-year-old is currently leading Bayer Leverkusen’s title charge. His side sit ten points clear of second-placed Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga. A Leverkusen triumph would signal the first time since the 2011/12 season that Bayern have not won the German top flight, and it would also represent a maiden league title in the former’s history.

Ancelotti, though respected for his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu, faced a challenging 2023-24 season, failing to secure both La Liga and the Champions League titles. Despite a promising start to the current campaign, including five consecutive league victories, a recent 3-1 loss to Atletico Madrid has intensified speculation that Ancelotti might seek opportunities elsewhere upon the conclusion of his contract.

Alonso, who has been at the helm of Bayer Leverkusen for nearly a year, has significantly elevated the club’s status in the Bundesliga. Leverkusen currently boast 16 points from their first six matches of the season, positioning themselves as title contenders. Alonso’s leadership also led to a memorable run to the Europa League semi-finals in the 2022-23 season, and the club is poised to make a strong bid for the same title this year.

But if you’re worried that it’s all getting a little bit repetitive, worry not, for there are lots of other areas where things are constantly changing, such as the tactical approaches we’re about to look at.

Our guest Ardit presents a detailed critique of Alonso’s tactical approach, highlighting concerns about defensive structure and over-reliance on athleticism, while Sid offers a contrasting perspective on why these elements might actually benefit Madrid. The discussion extends to fascinating comparisons with

other potential candidates, such as praising Klopp’s intensity and questioning its toll on players, pondering whether Julian Nagelsmann was hard done at Bayern, while asking whether Alonso’s pressing philosophy might offer advantages over even Zidane’s reliable approach. Through this debate, we examine whether

Madrid truly needs a revolutionary change or if Alonso’s evolution of the current system, combined with improved pressing and tactical flexibility, could be the perfect balance for the club’s future.

While Mbappe has scored eight goals in 15 appearances across all competitions this season, many believe his performances and contributions have been underwhelming so far given the level of excitement that surrounded his arrival.

This timeline aligns perfectly with Alonso’s potential future. Leverkusen’s impressive season under his leadership suggests he might be ready for a bigger challenge by 2025, and a return to Santiago Bernabeu, his former stomping ground, could be on the cards.

Tchouameni would cost around the £100 million mark to secure. However, Liverpool will sanction a huge spend for the correct target. The fact he is 24 years old makes him attractive to the Reds as he ticks the under-25 box they look at for big signings.

Manchester City are likely to enter the market for a new manager in 2025, while clubs like Bayern Munich, Manchester United, and Chelsea could also set sights on Alonso, who, in the meantime, will look to guide Leverkusen to Europa League glory next week.