Many football fans who have been following the sport since the early 2010s have witnessed a trend where former players are becoming successful managers. Examples of such players include Mikel Arteta, Frank Lampard, Gerrard, Wayne Rooney, among others.
This trend is not new as players like Antonio Conte, Zidane, and Carlo Ancelotti were also players who played for top Serie A clubs. Many players have had the opportunity to manage the club they once played for. The list of players managing their former club can increase if Xabi Alonso chooses to leave Leverkusen to join either of his former clubs.
How did Xabi Alonso come under the radar?
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Xabi Alonso started his career on the other side of the pitch with the Real Sociedad youth team and then the B team. His main team journey started when he came in charge of a struggling Bayer Leverkusen side and took them to the 6th position which qualified them for Europe. Currently, the team is also on top of the Bundesliga and even managed a draw away at Allianz Arena.
Alonso’s progress is being heavily monitored by clubs around Europe and many clubs want to secure his signature to take over the managerial business. But there’s a special clause in his contract that will allow the Spaniard to leave if only one of his former clubs comes for him.
Joining Bayern?
Bayern Munich is currently gelling well under Tuchel and the Bayern board is confident of winning the Bundesliga and having a long run in the Champions League. It is unlikely that Bayern would approach Xabi because the board went through a lot of trouble to bring in Tuchel and is not likely to repeat the process as the German currently has a long contract with the club
A worthy Klopp successor?
Liverpool fans are already in disarray because Jurgen Klopp will leave in 2026, and fans would love to see the midfield maestro come back and take the reigns at Anfield but by 2026 it seems very much possible that by that time Alonso will get tied down by one of his other clubs.
Xavi vs Xabi during the El Clasico?
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Real Madrid have reportedly contacted their former player and Xabi Alonso can be the next Madrid manager once Carlo Ancelotti leaves to take care of the Brazil National team. Carlo Ancelotti is set to leave next year and with the Spanish giants immediately requiring a backup, they can go for Xabi. It also seems likely that Alonso would accept the deal at Madrid as it would be a huge upgrade for their former player.
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Rocking the season so far
This season Leverkusen has been on fire much to everyone’s surprise after they sold Diaby to Aston Villa but after some clever moves in the transfer market, Leverkusen has signed players like Victor Boniface and Nathan Tella. They have also got Granit Xhaka and Grimaldo for free. German wonderkid Florian Wirtz is back from his injury and is looking like a new signing. The Leverkusen team under Alonso this season are unbeaten so far and have had only one draw in 10 matches. Fans are hoping they can finally win something this season and also go back into the UEFA Champions League.
Alonso has a contract till 2026 with the club but might leave if Real Madrid come calling for him after Ancelotti leaves at the end of this season