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Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso agreed to become Borussia Monchengladbach coach in June.
That’s according to The Guardian, who say the former Reds, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star will take over from Marco Rose, who is heading to Borussia Dortmund.
Alonso is currently the coach of Real Sociedad B team, but it looks like he’s on his way back to Germany this summer.
The former Spanish international represented Liverpool more than 200 times during a five-year stint at Anfield, and became one of the club’s best midfielders in the modern era.
His intelligence on the field always suggested that one day he would seek to become a coach, and that is exactly what happened.
Numerous key football figures, including some Liverpool legends, have already voiced their views on the possibility of Alonso becoming a manager, and here is a selection of the best quotes.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (President of Bayern Munich)
The Bayern president offered an insight in 2019 on the football intelligence Alonso possesses, also suggesting that he might return to the Allianz Arena one day.
“I think we have to make an effort to bring Xabi Alonso back to Bayern at some point,” Rummenigge said.
“He is the best central midfielder we have had in recent years.
“He wasn’t the fastest, but he was the best strategically and the smartest I’ve seen in our midfield.
“He was a wonderful player, speaking four languages and German fluently.
“He had a real personality. I would very much like him to return to Bayern one day, he is a true gentleman.”
Pep Guardiola
Guardiola and Alonso won two Bundesliga titles together during their time at Bayern Munich.
The now Manchester City manager made a bold prediction when the Spanish midfielder retired from football in 2017.
Guardiola said: “He will return as a coach soon. I bet that, wherever he wants, he will become a coach and it will be fine.”
“He understands the game and is curious to understand it. He knew over the weeks what we would have to do to win the next matches, to beat them. He was already curious to know.”
Steven Gerrard
Gerrard and Alonso formed an incredible partnership in Liverpool’s midfield between 2004 and 2009.
The former Reds captain, now Rangers boss, has always spoken highly of his former teammate and did so in 2016.
At the time, Gerrard said: “If, totally hypothetically, I were to become Liverpool manager one day, I know who I would love to have as my assistant: Xabi Alonso or Jamie Carragher.
“They are very smart, they have deep knowledge of football and they are special men. If I had smart people around me and the right coaching team behind me, I like to think that I could be successful as a coach.”
Jamie carragher
Carragher once predicted that Alonso will one day become Liverpool’s manager.
Now that remains to be seen, but the Spaniard has certainly taken a step in the right direction.
“Great guy, loves soccer, one of the best,” Carragher said of Alonso.
“I talk to him, I exchange text messages. He is going to be a coach, I think he will be a great coach. People always talk about Stevie at Liverpool, and the way he goes with Rangers is inevitable.
“I think there is a possibility that Xabi Alonso could become Liverpool’s manager in the future.”
Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti was at the helm of Bayern when Alonso retired from football in 2017 and the Everton manager spoke highly of his chances of becoming a top manager.
“He wants to go on vacation, but he has the qualities and the experience to become a fantastic coach in the future,” said the Italian coach.
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho, who was in charge of Alonso at Real Madrid from 2010 to 2014, also predicted a move to the leadership of the former Liverpool midfielder.
“The end of a career and the beginning of another. With the same success with the same dignity. Football needs men,” Mourinho said when Alonso announced his retirement.
Mikel Arteta
In 2020, Arsenal coach Arteta, who is a close friend of Alonso, explained how he always knew that his former Real Sociedad teammate would become a coach.
When asked on the Gunners’ official Twitter account which of his former colleagues would be most likely to take over the helm of soccer, the Spaniard said: “There were a few.
“Xabi Alonso, when we played together, I knew that one day he would become a coach.
“Now he is training in the second team of Real Sociedad and he will be a very good coach in the future, I am sure.”
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Stephen Warnock
Warnock played with Alonso during his Liverpool days and the former full-back opened up about how the former Spanish midfielder always showed signs of becoming a coach during his playing days.
“A great thinker of the game, a very tactical thinker of the game,” Warnock told Sky Sports News.
“Great conversationalist in the locker room to all the players about the game.
“When he retired, he immediately wanted to pursue training, so he tells you a bit about himself.”
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