Pep Guardiola is a big fan of Xabi Alonso’s work (Picture: Getty Images)
Pep Guardiola expected Xabi Alonso to go into management when they worked together at Bayern Munich, but he has still been blown away by the job he is doing at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso is enjoying widespread and well-earned praise for his work in Germany, with Leverkusen unbeaten in all competitions this season.
His side sit top of the Bundesliga, eight points clear of Bayern Munich, while they are on for a treble as they are still going strong in the Europa League and DFB Pokal.
The 42-year-old may not be at the club for long as he is being linked with the Bayern Munich and Liverpool jobs, with both roles becoming vacant this summer.
Guardiola was not willing to comment on that speculation but he was happy to react to the work Alonso has done so far as a manager and he is thoroughly impressed.
On Liverpool’s interest in Alonso, the Manchester City boss said: ‘That’s a question for Liverpool and of course I’m not going to answer because I don’t know the ideas that I have.
‘But if you ask me about the job he’s doing…honestly…wow!
Alonso is aiming to win a treble with Bayer Leverkusen this season (Picture: Getty Images)
‘The only team that’s unbeaten in all competitions, fighting in the way with Bayern Munich there. Now they are in the position that they cannot win the Bundesliga, they can lose the Bundesliga but everybody thinks it’s done. Now is the most difficult thing because it’s not done until it’s done.
‘But, wow! Not just the way they play, they didn’t lose one game in the Europa League, the Pokal in Germany, the Bundesliga.’
Guardiola signed Alonso when he was Bayern Munich boss in 2014 and said he could see then that he would have a future in management, tipping a few other players he has worked with to do the same.
‘I was incredibly fortunate to have him one and a half years or two seasons. He’s such an intelligent player,’ said Guardiola.
Alonso played under Pep Guardiola and Carlo Ancelotti at Bayern (Picture: Getty Images)
‘Holding midfielders ask you questions and how curious they are about the game, you realise that if this guy retires he will be at home, he will be annoyed, nothing to do.
‘Normally holding midfielders like him, [Javier] Mascherano, [Sergio] Busquets, Rodri, [Ilkay] Gundogan, they will be involved in football for sure because they have a vision, their perspective is different.
‘He was a top class player otherwise you cannot play Liverpool, Madrid and Bayern Munich. He took good decisions and I’m so happy for him, he deserves it, he’s a lovely, lovely guy.’
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