A clip of Jose Mourinho speaking about Xabi Alonso years before he became a manager is going viral, and the ‘Special One’ got his prediction absolutely spot on.
Alonso has taken the footballing world by storm this season in his second season in charge of Bayer Leverkusen as his side secured their first Bundesliga title on Sunday, breaking Bayern Munich’s record of eleven consecutive titles.
Alonso’s side thrashed Werder Bremen 5-0 at home to clinch the title, with fans invading the pitch before the full-time whistle in celebration.
The victory extended Leverkusen’s unbeaten start to the season to 29 matches, a new Bundesliga record.
Leverkusen have now gone 43 games unbeaten, the longest unbeaten run in European football history, and could clinch an unbeaten treble if they win the Europa League.
Many have been blown away by Alonso’s impact as a manager so early in his career but fans with good memories will remember Mourinho called this long before the 23/24 season.
Speaking in 2019 Mourinho made comparisons between himself and Alonso and that having worked with him as a player he could see the potential for the Spaniard to go into management.
“I would say Xabi Alonso, his father was a manager so he grew up similar to me, he grew up with a father player, with a father manager. Then he becomes a top player, of course much better than I was with his position on the pitch and knowledge of the game very high,” Mourinho stated.
The Special One explained that the quality of the coaches Alonso worked under during his playing career could help shape him into an outstanding manager.
“Then he played in Spain in England and in Germany. He was coached by Guardiola at Bayern, by myself and Ancelotti in Real Madrid, by Benitez in Liverpool.
“So if you put all this together I think Xabi has the conditions to be a very good coach,” The Portuguese legend predicted.
It’s safe to say Mourinho knew what he was talking about with Alonso now the most sought after managers in Europe but despite Liverpool and Bayern links Alonso looks set to remain at Leverkusen.
