Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has been one of the standout managers in Europe this season.
Despite only taking over at Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022, Alonso has completely transformed the Bundesliga side.
In the 18 months he’s been charge, the Spaniard has taken Leverkusen from the relegation places, to winning the league title without losing a single game.
Alonso’s team also secured the German Cup and although they lost the Europa League to an Ederson inspired Atalanta, their wonderful season will endure.
Those who know Alonso best – like Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta – claim that he was always destined to be a top coach. And the 42-year-old has now explained how his five years at Anfield helped him to fulfil that destiny.
Xabi Alonso explains Rafa Benitez influence
Some of Alonso’s best days as a footballer came while at Liverpool. It was the Reds who plucked him from hometown club Real Sociedad and introduced him to the wider footballing consiousness.
The World Cup winner has always spoken glowingly of his half-decade on Merseyside and that’s part of the reason he was so hotly tipped to follow Jurgen Klopp this summer.
Alonso did go on to do wonderful things when he left Liverpool in 2009 though, and – more importantly – he played under some terrific coaches.
It all started with Rafa Benitez, who was Alonso’s manager throughout his time with the Reds. And speaking to Movistar + via Football Espana, the Leverkusen boss has explained how Benitez and those who came after influenced his current philosophy.
“I have learned a lot from all my coaches and I have transformed it into my own personality as a coach who is starting out,” says Alonso.
“Rafa is football, tactics: how to fit in, how to help, what to do. Pep [Guardiola] tells you – ‘We are going to play like this and this is going to happen.’ From Mourinho I highlight his strength and intelligence in communicating,” he continues.
“From Luis [Aragones] I am left with the conviction and being able to define what it is you wanted. [Vicente] Del Bosque taught me to worry the right amount about the things you have to worry about. Ancelotti excelled at conveying what good football is and what we had to do.”
Liverpool lie in wait for Xabi Alonso
It was a shame that Alonso couldn’t be convinced to jump ship from Leverkusen and join Liverpool this summer.
Nevertheless, now that dust is starting to settle and the Reds have brought in Arne Slot, you have to say that Xabi probably made the right call.
He has been remarkably successful in his short coaching career so far. However, it really has been short.
The former Real Madrid man is reportedly still planning to come back and coach Liverpool one day. That will now be at a time where Alonso feels more ready.
Of course, there’s no guarantee that things will line up enough for the Spaniard to follow Rafa and manage the Reds.
If that does eventually transpire though, he’d be wise to call on those tools that Benitez left him with.
One day, Xabi. One day.
