Xabi Alonso

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9 Mar 2024

Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso, born on November 25, 1981, is a Spanish professional football manager and former player, currently serving as the head coach of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen. Widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of his generation, Alonso has also gained recognition as a promising young manager.

Alonso began his playing career at Real Sociedad, based in his home province of Gipuzkoa. Following a loan spell at Eibar, he became the team captain of Real Sociedad under manager John Toshack. During his tenure, Alonso led the club to second place in the 2002–03 season. In August 2004, he made a move to Liverpool for £10.5 million and enjoyed immediate success, winning the UEFA Champions League in his first season. Alonso scored the equalizing goal in the final against Milan. In the following season, he secured the FA Cup and the FA Community Shield.

His career took him to Real Madrid in the 2009–10 season in a transfer worth around £30 million. During his five seasons with Real Madrid, Alonso achieved notable success, including a league title in 2012 and the Champions League in 2014. Subsequently, he joined Bayern Munich on a two-year contract, which was later extended by another year. Alonso retired from professional football in the summer of 2017, having won the Bundesliga in each of his three seasons with Bayern.

On the international stage, Alonso made his debut for Spain in April 2003, and he played a crucial role in the national team's success. He won Euro 2008, Euro 2012, and the 2010 World Cup. Alonso retired from international football in August 2014 after Spain's exit from the group stages at the 2014 World Cup. With 114 caps, he ranks as the eighth-most capped player in Spain's history.After retiring from playing, Alonso ventured into coaching. He initially coached Real Madrid's U14 team and later became the manager of Real Sociedad's reserve team in June 2019. In his second season, he helped the team gain promotion to the Segunda División. Alonso left Real Sociedad in May 2022 and was appointed as the head coach of Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022.

Xabi Alonso's early career saw him progressing through the youth ranks and the reserve team at Real Sociedad. He made his first senior appearance in December 1999 during a Copa del Rey match against Logroñés. The following year, he was loaned to Segunda División team Eibar at the beginning of the 2000–01 season to gain experience. Despite a challenging situation for Real Sociedad, then-manager John Toshack turned to the young Alonso in January 2001, making him the team captain at just 20 years old. Under Toshack's guidance, Alonso played a key role in helping the team climb out of the relegation zone and finish in 14th place by the end of the season.

Toshack recognized Alonso's potential and implemented a training method designed to enhance his touch and control. The 2001–02 season marked a resurgence for Real Sociedad, finishing in 13th place with Alonso as captain. His performances garnered praise, and the club's management changed with the arrival of Raynald Denoueix in the summer of 2002. Alonso maintained his place in the first team, contributing to the club's success in the 2002–03 season, where Real Sociedad finished second in La Liga, securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League.

Alonso's performances earned him the Best Spanish Player award, and he received national recognition, earning a call-up to the Spain national football team in April 2003. The 2003–04 season saw mixed results for Alonso and Real Sociedad, with the team struggling in La Liga but qualifying for the knockout phase of the Champions League. Despite interest from Real Madrid, Alonso remained committed to Real Sociedad.

Alonso made a move to Liverpool for £10.7 million under the management of Rafael Benítez. Despite previous interest from Real Madrid, Alonso focused on integrating with the Spanish contingent at Liverpool and embraced the new challenge in the English Premier League.

In the 2005–06 season, Xabi Alonso was a mainstay in Liverpool's first team, avoiding the injuries that had affected his initial season at the club. The arrival of Peter Crouch in the summer transfer window led to speculations about a potential shift to long-ball tactics, but Crouch dismissed these claims, emphasizing the importance of Alonso's passing ability alongside Steven Gerrard. Although facing competition from new signing Mohamed Sissoko, Alonso secured his place in the team due to Gerrard's injuries and Benítez's preference for a 4–5–1 formation. While Liverpool lost to Benfica in the Champions League knockout stage, Alonso played in all of the team's matches in the competition.

On January 7, 2006, in an FA Cup third-round match against Luton Town, Alonso played a crucial role in Liverpool's 5–3 comeback victory, assisting and scoring two remarkable goals from long distances—one from 45 yards and another from 65 yards behind the halfway line. His spectacular goals also proved fortunate for a Liverpool fan who won £25,000 from a £200 bet on Alonso scoring from within his own half. Despite suffering an ankle injury in an away victory over Portsmouth, Alonso recovered in time to start the FA Cup final against West Ham United. Gerrard scored Liverpool's third goal from Alonso's free kick, helping the team secure victory. Although Alonso was substituted due to his ongoing injury, Liverpool went on to win the FA Cup on penalties, and Alonso earned his first FA Cup winners' medal.

On September 20, 2006, Xabi Alonso scored a remarkable goal described by the BBC as "an outrageous strike" from his own half in a 2–0 Premiership win against Newcastle United. The goal was considered one of the most audacious in Anfield's history, and Alonso, in response to claims of luck, asserted that scoring long-range shots was part of his training routine. This goal, from a distance of 70 yards, was distinct from his previous one against Luton, and Alonso regarded it as better. Notably, Alonso made history as the only outfield player in modern professional football history to score two consecutive goals from inside his own half of the pitch.

On June 8, 2007, Alonso signed a five-year contract with Liverpool, expressing his desire to stay with the club despite interest from other teams. He emphasized his special feelings for the club and its supporters, stating, "It is such a special club, and I just didn't want to leave." In the 2007–08 season, Alonso started well, scoring twice in a 6–0 victory against Derby County due to Gerrard's absence. However, his season took a downturn when a minor injury sustained in a game against Portsmouth became aggravated during training. This metatarsal injury kept him out of training for six weeks, and his rushed return to the first team resulted in a recurrence of the injury. Alonso's determination to stay on the field proved to be a setback, and he reflected on the experience, acknowledging feeling tired in his first game back but not wanting to come off, especially when the team was winning.