Redaction Willow Austin with Phil Haigh
Published on 2024-02-27 09:33:01
Pep Guardiola and Xabi Alonso are two football legends who have crossed paths both as player and coach. Guardiola, the former Bayern Munich and current Manchester City manager, had a stint with Alonso at Bayern Munich, where he saw the potential of the Spanish midfielder to transition into management. Fast forward to the present day, Guardiola is not only impressed but blown away by the work Alonso has been doing as the manager of Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso, at 42 years old, has taken the Bundesliga by storm with his tactical acumen and leadership, guiding Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the league table, eight points ahead of Guardiola’s former club Bayern Munich. Not only are Leverkusen performing exceptionally well in the Bundesliga, but they are also on course for a treble this season, as they remain unbeaten in all competitions.
Guardiola, while refraining from commenting on the rumors linking Alonso to managerial positions at Bayern Munich and Liverpool, couldn’t help but express his admiration for the job Alonso has done so far. The way Leverkusen has been able to compete with and even outperform top teams like Bayern Munich in various competitions speaks volumes about Alonso’s managerial credentials.
Having signed Alonso during his time at Bayern Munich, Guardiola had already sensed the potential of the Spanish midfielder to move into management given his intelligence and curiosity about the game. Guardiola highlighted the fact that players like Alonso, who play in holding midfield roles, often possess unique perspectives on the game and are likely to stay involved in football post-retirement.
Reflecting on his time with Alonso, Guardiola praised his intelligence as a player and expressed his happiness for the former Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich star for transitioning seamlessly into a successful managerial career. Guardiola also commended other holding midfielders he has worked with, such as Javier Mascherano, Sergio Busquets, and Ilkay Gundogan, for their vision and decision-making abilities on the pitch.
In conclusion, Guardiola’s admiration for Alonso’s managerial success is a testament to the Spaniard’s qualities both as a player and a coach. As Alonso continues to make waves in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen, it is evident that Guardiola’s initial belief in Alonso’s potential to succeed in management was well-founded. Alonso’s rise in the world of football management is a storyline worth following, and Guardiola’s praise only adds to the intrigue surrounding one of the game’s emerging managerial talents.
Read Original article on Metro Sport
