Jose Mourinho Recognizes Xabi Alonso’s Potential as a Manager

Xabi Alonso has made history with Bayer Leverkusen, winning the club’s first-ever Bundesliga title in history. He has shown a masterclass quality with Die Werkself practically for the last two seasons since joining Real Sociedad B.

But there was someone who has seen Alonso’s potential in a managerial career for years and it was his former manager in Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho. Talking in a mobile game ‘Top Eleven’ conference in 2019, Mourinho mentioned several factors that supported Alonso to be a decent manager. 

Jose Mourinho pointed out the conditions for Alonso to be a good manager

“But I would say that Xabi Alonso, his father, was a manager,” Mourinho said. “So he grew up similar to me, he was born with a father player, and he grew up with a father manager. Then he became a player, of course, much better than I was, he became a player, a top player. 

“His position on the pitch and his knowledge of the game (was) very high, and then he played in Spain, in England, and in Germany. And he was coached by Guardiola in Bayern, by myself in Real Madrid, by Ancelotti in Real Madrid, and by Benitez in Liverpool. So I think if he put all these together I think Xabi has conditions to be a very good coach.”   

About five years later, Mourinho’s ‘prophecy’ has become a reality. Leverkusen has not been beaten across the competition this season, securing one of the three potential titles. Apart from the Bundesliga, Leverkusen still has a chance to win Europa League and the DFB Pokal, being in the quarterfinal and the final respectively. 

Mourinho and Alonso spent three years together in La Liga, winning one league title, one Copa del Rey, and one Spanish Super Cup. Both men parted ways when Mourinho left for Chelsea in July 2013 while Alonso proceeded his tenure with Madrid for another year.

Also Read: Bayer Leverkusen vs Werder Bremen Player Ratings: The Hosts Capture the Bundesliga Title With a Thumping Win