Jose Mourinho's analysis of Xabi Alonso's management potential is so good | OneFootball

Jose Mourinho believes that new Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso will go on to do great things in management.

The Liverpool and Real Madrid legend recently took the reins at the Bundesliga club after they parted ways with their old manager Gerardo Seoane.

Alonso had spent three years in charge of Real Sociedad’s B team and had led the club through a relatively successful period, including achieving promotion to the Spanish second division for the first time in over 60 years.

However, he left last summer as he felt the need to pursue a new challenge.

A new challenge which he has seemingly found in the form of Bayer Leverkusen.

Mourinho on Alonso's management credentials

The initial success Alonso has experienced since moving into the dugout will have come as no surprise to Mourinho.

Speaking in a Top Eleven conference in 2019, Mourinho gave the audience several reasons why he expects his former player to become an exceptional manager.

"His father was a manager, so he grew up similar to me. 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 - very high.

"He played in Spain, in England and in Germany.

"And he was coached by Guardiola with Bayern; by myself in Real Madrid; by Ancelotti in Real Madrid; by Benitez in Liverpool.

"So, I think if you put all this together, Xabi has conditions to be a very good coach."

It's a fascinating watch and testament to Mourinho's knowledge of the game and his former player.

It's true that many great managers were previously midfielders. Just look at Guardiola, Frank Rijkaard, Carlo Ancelotti, Zinedine Zidane and so forth.

Having that understanding of the game, the ability to dictate play and make a team tick is essential for managers to understand.

And in the case of Alonso, based off his first few years anyway, he looks to have taken to the challenge like a duck to water.

How has Alonso done at Leverkusen so far?

The Spaniard was only appointed last week but has wasted no time making an impact.

They faced off against Schalke on Saturday, a direct rival in the league given Leverkusen were languishing in 18th with their opponents sitting two places above them.

But Alonso's side were bang at it and ran out 4-0 winners, leapfrogging Schalke and moving up to 14th place in the table.

Optimism will surely be running high after that victory, so keep an eye on the Bundesliga over the next few months, we might just have the next great manager making his way in the game.

next story previous story