After reports emerged that Xabi Alonso was set to become the manager of Borussia Mönchengladbach, Sid Lowe from The Guardian has since reported that the former Liverpool star will not be joining the German outfit.
Xabi Alonso is Set to Stay in Spain
Borussia Mönchengladbach are Still Searching for a Mario Rose’s Replacement
The Spaniard, who is currently managing Real Sociedad’s B team, had been touted to replace Mönchengladbach’s current boss Mario Rose, who will depart for Borussia Dortmund at the end of the season.
Die Fohlen are currently languishing in tenth position in the Bundesliga and were recently knocked out of the Champions League by Manchester City.
Alonso is fairing well at Sociedad B, sitting on top of the Basque sides’ group in the Segunda División B.
Alonso’s Future Seems Bright
The Spaniard’s potential move to Mönchengladbach had come as a surprise to many due to his lack of experience in management. He is seen as one of the up and coming coaches in Spain and is likely to take a manager’s position at a major European club in the coming years.
After completing his trophy-filled playing career at Bayern Munich in 2017, the former midfielder quickly set out to complete his UEFA Elite Coaching Course. He had already learned from world-class managers like Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti.
Alonso then began his coaching career at the same club he began his playing career – Real Sociedad. After coaching Real Madrid’s U14s while completing his coaching badges, he was appointed Sociedad’s B team manager in 2019.
The 39-year-old’s interest in the tactical elements of football has been clear since his playing days. Having been recognised by many as one of the strategically intelligent players in Europe, he is already showing his deep understanding of the game at Sociedad B.
His side has been playing free-flowing attacking football since early in his tenure. Having initially struggled to keep clean sheets, the team now looks solid at the back, having conceded 15 goals in 19 league games this season. He is showing he can play attractive football without leaking goals this season.
Although this would suggest Alonso will be focused on managing teams that simply outscore their opponents, he told L’equipe soon after beginning his spell in charge at the San Sebstián that this won’t be the case, saying: “Do I have a trademark? No.
“What’s important is what my players feel, that’s what I tell them,” he said. “If I feel something but my players don’t, my ideas are useless, I have to change and be at their service.”
Recognising the importance of adaptability is a feature many inexperienced managers do not possess, but we should expect no less from the World Cup winner. He developed his knowledge of the game throughout his playing career, playing different roles in varying tactical setups. He seemed an astute tactician by his final years.
He has been tipped by many former colleagues such as Jose Mourinho, Jamie Carragher, and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge to become a successful manager at the highest level. Despite not taking his biggest step to date in doing that with Mönchengladbach, there is little doubt he will in the coming years.
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