Xabi Alonso set for first managerial role in Bundesliga

Not too Xabi

Xabi Alonso is set to take over as manager of Borussia Mönchengladbach at the end of this season, according to reports in German newspaper Bild. https://twitter.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1373933965199966210 The former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder will replace Marco Rose, who is bound for Borussia Dortmund where he will replace Lucien Favre. It will be his first role as a first team coach, after spending two years managing the B-team at Real Sociedad, where he began his playing career in the Basque country. Since retiring in 2017, Alonso has completed his UEFA Elite coaching course alongside his former Spain teammates Xavi Hernandez, Raul Gonzalez, Victor Valdes and Joan Capdevila. After doing so he returned to Real Madrid to coach their Under-14s academy side. An official announcement of his imminent arrival at Gladbach is expected in due course. The German side have recently enjoyed success beyond their expectations, qualifying for the Champions League with a fourth place finish last season, while playing some of the most entertaining football in the Bundesliga. But a recent dip in form has seen them eliminated by Manchester City as they linger in midtable domestically. In his first role as a manager, Alonso has been tasked with restoring Borussia to the European places in the league. Given the managers he has learned under and his studious approach to the game, you can be sure it will be an entertaining watch.