Xabi Alonso to Coach at Real Sociedad

Xabi Alonso is going to take the next step in his managerial career, and it is likely away from Real Madrid. This past season, Alonso’s first as a coach, saw the former galactico manage Real Madrid’s Infantil A. The boys, aged 13-14 years old, won the title. Alonso, after his succesful year, was given the opportunity to coach Los Blancos’ Juvenil A team and continue his ascend up the managerial ladder. Though, it looks like that offer was declined and Alonso will return to his home, San Sebastian, as he reportedly has a good relationship with Real Sociedad president, Jokin Aperribay.

Both Marca and AS report that Aperribay and Roberto Alaba, the sporting director at La Real, met with Xabi Alonso in Madrid, in a bid to convince him on their project. Aperribay is supposedly investing heavily in the youth system and wants Xabi to play a critical role in the development of their young talent. Rumors have suggested that Alonso could manage Real Sociedad’s B team who play in Seguna B, the Spanish third division—the same professional level where Real Madrid Castilla reside.

The plan for Aperribay and Alaba, is for Xabi to continue gaining experience and develop as a manager. They are happy with the work of current Sociedad manager, Imanol Alguacil, but the long-term vision is to see Alonso one day manage the first team. Real Sociedad are not the only team to have courted Xabi Alonso, Bayern Munich CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has also set his heart on an eventual return. Rummenigge described Xabi as a player and a person, “He wasn’t the quickest, but he was the best strategically and the most intelligent I’ve ever seen in our midfield. He was a marvelous player, who speaks four languages and German fluently. He was a real personality. I’d like him to return to Bayern one day, he’s a true gentleman” he concluded. Rummenigge even went on to say that Xabi rejected the opportunity to work with Nagelsmann as an assistant coach at RB Leipizig next season.

Xabi Alonso is clearly a wanted commodity. If all goes to plan, and Xabi succeeds as iis so widely projected, he could have stints as manager of Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid in the coming years and decades.