In recent years, many Real Madrid fans have been expecting one thing: Xavi Alonso to be the new coach of the team.Now that he’s finally here, everyone is also asking the question: can Alonso really succeed at Real Madrid?
In fact, in many ways, Alonso’s character and way of doing things have set him up for success at Real Madrid.He is not a man who compromises easily, but because of this, he always manages to get things done.
1. A strong personality makes him bold in making decisions
Whether or not a person can make things happen depends very much on whether or not he has the will to do so.Alonso has always had a strong sense of determination, both in life and in soccer, and he has always been willing to listen to his own judgment, instead of just following others.
For example, there was an incident in his career that illustrates this.Rafa Benitez, Liverpool’s manager at the time, wanted him to continue playing, but at that time his wife was about to have a baby.Alonso chose to spend time with his family rather than stay on the pitch.He said, “I could have played for many more years, but my wife is only going to have children a few times in her life.I shouldn’t be absent when she needs me the most.” This decision was not understood by many, but he stuck to his choice.
This firmness was not stubbornness, but a sense of duty.He knew what he had to do when and dared to take the consequences for it.
2. He is not afraid to stand firm in the face of difficulties
Alonso isn’t just principled in life, he’s also very tough in the face of external pressures.In 2019, he was prosecuted by the Spanish authorities for tax issues, saying he had evaded €2 million in taxes.The prosecutor’s office at the time even demanded that he be sentenced to 2 and a half years in prison.
But instead of bowing down, Alonso chose to deal with it head on.In the end, the court ruled that he was not guilty, and he thus proved his innocence.This incident also showed many people another side of him – not an athlete who only plays soccer, but a person who knows how to protect his rights and interests.
And he didn’t do it alone, he trusted his advisors Ivan Sardua and Ignacy Maestre, and together they accomplished this “legal battle”.This sense of teamwork and trust is one of the reasons why he was able to lead a team as a coach.
3. Willingness to learn and ask anyone for advice
Although Alonso is very opinionated, he is not a proud and arrogant person.On the contrary, he is very willing to learn, especially from those who are better than him.
When he left Real Madrid and joined Bayern Munich, it was to learn more about tactics from Pep Guardiola.You know, Guardiola is recognized as one of the top coaches in the soccer world, and Bayern is Real Madrid’s rival.Alonso doesn’t care about these labels, he only cares about learning something.
He said something like, “I’m willing to learn as long as it makes me better.”This open-mindedness has allowed him to adapt quickly to different environments even after transitioning into coaching.
4. Success in coaching Leverkusen
Alonso really got his start as a head coach with Leverkusen in Germany.There, he led the team to the Bundesliga title and the German Cup, a rare achievement in the club’s history.
His coaching style is characterized by several things:
- Fast-paced: He likes to make his players play faster and attack more aggressively;
- Pressing style of play: he requires his team to start stealing the ball in the opponent’s half and does not allow the opponent to organize attacks easily;
- Flexibility: Instead of sticking to one formation, he will adjust his tactics according to the game situation.
Most importantly, he can make the players believe in him and listen to him.This is especially important when coaching a powerhouse like Real Madrid.
5. Back at Real Madrid, he brought a familiar team with him
Alonso didn’t come to Real Madrid alone, but brought along his old team from his Leverkusen days.These included assistant coach Sebas Parrilla, fitness coach Ismael Camenfort and others.
All of these assistants are credited with his success in Germany, and they work well together and execute well, which is very important for Alonso, who has just taken over a new team.
In addition, he retained his previous agent, Inaki Ibáñez, who he had worked with for many years, and found a PR firm with good ties to Real Madrid to handle his image.These details show that he is well aware of the fact that coaching Real Madrid is not just about training players, but also about dealing with a lot of complicated relationships.
6. Memories of the Mourinho era help him
Alonso played under Mourinho when he was young, and this experience has influenced his understanding of soccer.He once said, “Mourinho was the right coach for our time.”
At that time Barcelona was at its peak, Messi, Harvey, Iniesta composed of the golden midfield almost unbeatable.Real Madrid fans were in a bad mood at that time.Mourinho’s arrival changed all that, and with his toughness and pragmatic tactics, he brought Real Madrid back to being a contender.
Now Alonso is back at Real Madrid again, facing a somewhat similar situation.While Barcelona is not as strong as it once was, Real Madrid also needs a new direction and motivation.Alonso knows how to handle such a situation as he has been through similar challenges.
7. Real Madrid need a change now
In recent years, Real Madrid has had good results, but the overall style is a bit conservative and lacks fresh blood.The arrival of Alonso can bring some changes.
He likes to take the initiative and emphasizes on ball control and pressing, a style that is more suitable for the trend of modern soccer.And he also has the ability to motivate players and make them more energetic on the field.
What’s more, the relationship between him and Real Madrid’s president Florentino is relatively cordial.This kind of support is crucial for a new coach, especially in a place like Real Madrid where power and honor go hand in hand.
Conclusion: Alonso’s success is no coincidence
Overall, Alonso has been given a chance at Real Madrid because he possesses the qualities of a good coach: firmness, decisiveness, good communication and willingness to learn.He was a great midfield commander when he was a player, and now that he’s transitioned into coaching, he still maintains that calmness and big-picture perspective.
We will have to wait and see how he performs at Real Madrid in the future.But judging from his past behavior and choices, he is ready for a bigger challenge.
