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By Oliver Trust
BERLIN, March 22 (Xinhua) – Max Eberl seems to justify his reputation as one of the most creative sports directors in football. In charge of Bundesliga Borussia Monchengladbach, the former Bayern pro has always been good for a surprise.
This time around, the 47-year-old could have delivered his masterpiece by delivering surprising news in German soccer, introducing former Spanish giant Xabi Alonso out of nowhere as his club’s manager for the upcoming season.
Several media speak of a closed agreement with the current coach of the Real Sociedad affiliate, although neither club has confirmed the news. The real sports director, Roberto Olabe, said he hopes to stay with Alonso.
In Germany, the rumors set off a wave of euphoria.
The 39-year-old was not only a fan favorite while wearing the Bayern Munich jersey, having won the Champions League with Liverpool and Real; the media appreciated the deep tactical knowledge of the Spanish.
Dozens of international media lined up to hear entertaining interviews about the eye-opening strategies Alonso provided during training breaks at Bayern.
Sometimes the sessions would last for hours as it wasn’t obvious who was having the most fun, the soccer pro or his interviewers looking for enlightenment.
Others reported hours of interesting stories as supplier Adidas went through Alonso’s career introducing all the different boots he had worn over the years.
As soon as the midfield brain touched a pair, it seemed to go through its big games for the second time. It doesn’t matter if he took the ones he had missed on a penalty, or the ones he had won trophies with, Alonso became a skilled reporter delivering unforgettable moments.
At the time, there was rarely someone in Munich who didn’t predict which direction the days after Alonso’s game would take.
“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him on a bench soon as a coach,” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said. The Bayern president called Alonso one of soccer’s strategic brains.
Four years after leaving Bayern and retiring from the game, the 2010 World Cup champion is back in Germany to succeed Mönchengladbach coach Marco Rose, who is on track to join Dortmund next season.
Naming Alonso seems risky due to his lack of experience training at the highest level. But signing the Spanish international 114 times shows Eberl’s dedication to unusual solutions.
During his playing days, Alonso was coached by players like Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Vicente del Bosque and José Mourinho, and he seems like a perfect choice.
Alonso became a top-tier midfielder right in front of the defense, contributing his talent to read games and push his side forward. At the time, he was seen as one of the best in the world, but he always kept his vision of the game, reminiscent of the approach of a coach.
As a youth coach and with the Real Sociedad B team, he favored dynamic possession football. He strengthened his reputation as a successful talent developer in San Sebastián, a club that traditionally relies on its young talents to compete with wealthier clubs.
Now seems like the right time to take the next step, return to Germany and enter a more remarkable stage of training. If Alonso can create a degree of success similar to the excitement around the news of his appointment, he will reach heights similar to those he reached as a player. Final product
