Xabi Alonso: Why Bundesliga’s worst kept secret could thrive in the Premier League.

Not many would have billed Xabi Alonso to be averaging over two points per game in his first managerial stint, but the Spaniard has excelled in his role at Bayer Leverkusen. Amidst constant links to Liverpool, PremTalk explores why Alonso could thrive in the Premier League, even at the infancy of his managerial career.

Whilst many may assume a stellar playing career should translate into success as a manager, the Premier League is proof that this isn’t always the case. Frank Lampard at Chelsea, anyone?

However, Xabi Alonso has worked wonders at Bayer Leverkusen this season, remaining unbeaten at time of writing, and has not only achieved considerably, but has played eye-catching football too.

The Premier League at its highest echelons requires managers to impose a distinct style upon their players, and is the reason why the likes of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp have had such roaring success over the past decade. Xabi Alonso has instilled exciting football into the DNA of current club Bayer Leverkusen, and their results speak for themselves.

To succeed in the Premier League, managers must think outside of the box, much like Pep has with his dynamic back lines and his unique use of players such as John Stones in more free-flowing positions. Xabi Alonso has demonstrated he can think outside of the box; his Bayer Leverkusen side have reshaped the way they attack by utilising attacking fullbacks Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong, who have amassed over 20 goals and assists between them this season.

This style of play would suit the Premier League’s fast pace very well, and is something he could implement at many clubs in the top flight, as many teams possess dynamic fullbacks. Liverpool, who Alonso has been consistently linked to, have two of the league’s best in Andy Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold. It could be a match made in heaven.

The success Alonso has been enjoying this season has created a monster fixture schedule for Leverkusen, but his team are still fighting on three different fronts, and look favourites to win both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal. This bodes well if Alonso was to move to English football, as England is notorious for heavy fixture schedules, with top teams often having to play in as many as four different competitions throughout the season.

Making the step up to a team of Liverpool’s level would provide Alonso with even greater resources to build a side with enough depth to succeed in many different competitions – something his Leverkusen side are currently over-performing at.

Liverpool might not be the only potential Premier League destination for Alonso, though. The likes of Chelsea and Manchester United are both having below-par seasons, and the top job at both clubs could be up for grabs should Alonso want his name in the hat. Again, both clubs would offer greater resources than current club Leverkusen, and could kick-start a managerial career for the history books.

Alonso’s recent success is even more impressive when held in the context of his managerial career. Aside from youth team jobs at Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, the Spaniard hasn’t actually managed in senior football outside of Leverkusen.

All the more impressive is that Alonso hasn’t relied on big money or big name transfers to propel his current club to new heights. Spending just £70m in the summer (according to

transfermarkt), Alonso has been able to utilise a lot of the pre-existing playing staff in order to achieve a deserved unbeaten streak.

Liverpool look to be crying out for a revolution, with the Klopp era coming to an end. Players like Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz, for example, create the feeling that their potential hasn’t fully been unlocked yet. Alonso might be the key to helping these types of players reach that next level, and could create a Liverpool side more dominant than the one we saw between 2018 and 2020.

The Premier League is, and always will be, the biggest test of a managers’ skills, but this season has shown that Xabi Alonso should be more than capable of making that step. Only time will tell if Alonso decides to make the move to England. But, for the sake of the league, many will be hoping he takes the plunge.