Will Xabi Alonso follow in Zidane's footsteps?

Coach Alonso has a promising future with Real Madrid - Photo: REUTERS

Around this time last year, Xabi Alonso held a press conference announcing his decision to stay at Leverkusen for at least another year. It was a huge blow to the ambitions of Liverpool and Bayern Munich - both of which Alonso played for many years (Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, and Bayern Munich from 2014 to 2017).

At the same time, both Liverpool and Bayern Munich have confirmed that they will part ways with their head coaches. Liverpool parted ways with Jurgen Klopp after nine years, while Bayern Munich also reached an agreement to terminate the contract with coach Thomas Tuchel.

Having confirmed his future early, it is obvious that these two powerful teams are trying very hard to sign a contract with Alonso - a former player who is considered an outstanding player among the young coaches emerging in recent years.

But Alonso chose to stay at Leverkusen. Although he was said to be staying with the German team for another year, in reality, everyone understood that Alonso had chosen Real Madrid - the team that was still very successful with Ancelotti at that time. But the Italian strategist was 65 years old, so it was clear that the day he left Real Madrid was not far away. And as predicted, Alonso was chosen as Ancelotti's successor from next season.

Was it a secret deal? There may have been some behind-the-scenes action, but it didn't require too many "night trips" by Real Madrid's leadership. Because Mr. Alonso's return to the Bernabeu is recognized by the entire football world.

Sandwiched between his two spells at Liverpool and Bayern Munich were Alonso's five years at Real Madrid. At the Bernabeu, Alonso won one Champions League, one La Liga and a few other minor titles.

Not too brilliant but enough to engrave Alonso's name in the list of famous players associated with the glorious history of the Spanish royal team. And according to the team's tradition, such people will always have a future at the Bernabeu.

Zidane is the most obvious case. After retiring, the former French international took a gap of eight years before taking charge of Real Madrid's youth team. Then two years later, he took over the main team, opening a period of rare success in the club's history.

Unlike Zidane, Alonso has made a huge mark in his coaching career. And obviously the head coach position at the Bernabeu is tailor-made for him. Compared to Zidane, Alonso has certain advantages thanks to his coaching experience and being Spanish.

But life is not so predictable, especially in a world as complex as football. Alonso has many advantages when sitting in the hot seat at the Bernabeu, but don't be surprised if he cannot follow in Zidane's footsteps. Instead, it could be the same mistake as Bernd Schuster, Camacho...

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HUY DANG

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/xabi-alonso-co-tiep-buoc-zidane-20250512082139252.htm