(2) Xabi Alonso's coaching background and preferred playing style
(3) Xabi Alonso manager record, trophies, contract with Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso is a former Spanish footballer who played as a midfielder for clubs such as Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. He also represented Spain at the international level, winning the World Cup and two European Championships. ¹
After retiring as a player in 2017, Alonso started his coaching career in 2018 with Real Madrid's U13s, who went undefeated in his lone season in charge. ⁴ He then left to take over Real Sociedad's second team and remarkably gained promotion into Spain's second division for the 2021/22 season. ⁴
In October 2022, Alonso was appointed as the manager of Bayer Leverkusen, a German club that plays in the Bundesliga. He signed a contract until June 2026 and has led the team to the top of the league table as of January 2024. ³ He is known for his preferred formation of 3-4-2-1 and his possession-based style of play. ²⁵
Alonso is considered as one of the most promising young managers in the world and has been praised by his former coaches and teammates, such as Pep Guardiola, Steven Gerrard, and Sergio Ramos. ⁵ He has also expressed his admiration for managers such as Marcelo Bielsa, Jürgen Klopp, and Zinedine Zidane.