March 1st 2024.
Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool player, has been in the news lately as he has been heavily linked with the vacant managerial position at his old club. Rafa Benitez, the current Liverpool manager, has given a warning to Alonso not to make a hasty decision in accepting the job offer. The media has been buzzing with rumors about the possibility of Alonso replacing Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, and he is considered the top choice for the position.
Alonso, who is currently the manager of Bayern Leverkusen, has been doing exceptionally well with the team. They are currently at the top of the Bundesliga with a comfortable lead of eight points and have not lost a single league game so far. His success has also caught the attention of other top clubs, with Bayern Munich also considering him as a potential replacement for their departing manager, Thomas Tuchel.
However, Benitez, who has a close relationship with Alonso after coaching him during his time at Liverpool, has advised him to be cautious about taking the next step in his career too soon. He believes that the pressure to succeed in a top club can be overwhelming, especially in this age of social media where one mistake can be blown out of proportion.
In an interview with The Times, Benitez said, "Xabi is a big name in football and a good professional. He is doing really well with Leverkusen and I can understand why he is being linked to the Liverpool job." However, he also pointed out the potential challenges that Alonso may face, especially if he takes on a top club where expectations are high and any failure can be heavily criticized.
"In the past, a young coach could make a mistake and learn from it, but now with social media and the press, there is constant scrutiny which can affect their confidence," Benitez added. He also mentioned that with the presence of a legendary player like Steven Gerrard potentially taking over at Liverpool, the pressure on Alonso to succeed will be even greater.
Reports from Germany suggest that Liverpool have already approached Alonso's agent, Inaki Ibanez, to discuss the possibility of him becoming the next manager. However, Leverkusen's sporting director remains optimistic that Alonso will stay with the club for another season despite the interest from top clubs.
It remains to be seen what decision Alonso will make in the coming months, but one thing is for sure, he has the potential to be a successful manager, and it's only a matter of time before he takes on a top job.
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