Pep Guardiola reveals why he thinks Xabi Alonso is successful as a manager

Pep Guardiola praises Xabi Alonso for his work at Bayer Leverkusen.

27/02/2024, 02:10 PM +00:00

Pep Guardiola respects Xabi Alonso for keeping Bayer Leverkusen ahead of Bayern Munich.

Pep Guardiola is arguably the best manager in the world and has brought Manchester City to new heights. Last season, Man City won their first Champions League trophy and won a historic treble. They became the second English team to win a treble after Manchester United won a treble in 1999. While Guardiola is still doing well with Manchester City this season, the football world is paying attention to Xabi Alonso and Bayer Leverkusen. This is for a reason: Leverkusen is dominating the Bundesliga ahead of Bayern Munich.

Bayer Leverkusen is first in the Bundesliga and is on 61 points, and Bayern Munich is on 53 points in second place. Leverkusen is the only team in Europe that is undefeated in all competitions. This has caught the eyes of many football fans and managers like Pep Guardiola. When asked about Alonso's work with Bayer Leverkusen this season, Guardiola said, "If you ask about the job he's doing, honestly?! WOW! The only team unbeaten in, fighting with Bayern Munich. Now they have the most important part of the season. They cannot win the Bundesliga, they can LOSE because everybody thinks it’s done."

Guardiola also has a suspicion as to why Alonso is so successful as a coach. Guardiola also hints that some of the players he coaches now and in the past will also be great, like Alonso. Guardiola said, "Normally, holding midfielders like him [Xabi Alonso], Mascherano, Busquets - holding midfielders I had - Rodri, Gundogan, they will be involved in football for sure, because they have a vision for a global perspective that is different."

Guardiola talks about Kevin De Bruyne potentially going to Saudi Arabia

Rumors have been speculating that Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City soon to go to Saudi Arabia. Guardiola does not want that to happen, and when asked about the rumors, he says, "It’s a question for him. I'd love that he stays, but I don’t know... I don’t know if he has an offer, I don’t know if Saudi Arabia wants him. I would love for him to stay at City, of course”.