As a player, Xabi Alonso was universally adored. So accomplished and composed on the ball, the former Liverpool midfielder had it all. So far his transition into management has come with the same poise and elegance.
Alonso has utterly transformed Bayer Leverkusen since he took charge of the club. And this season he has led the side to the top of the Bundesliga table in an incredible start.
This weekend, Alonso’s side recorded another brilliant result beating RB Leipzig away from home. Alonso’s side twice came back from a one goal deficit before scoring a winner in the 91st minute to ensure their unbeaten run.
Xabi Alonso close to Guardiola record
Alonso’s side is now 18 games unbeaten in the Bundesliga. This is a start even Jurgen Klopp couldn’t replicate in Germany’s top flight while he was in charge of Borussia Dortmund. The best was achieved by Pep Guardiola, who led his Bayern Munich side unbeaten for the first 28 games of the season during the 2013/14 campaign.
However, the current Liverpool boss does hold the record of the longest unbeaten run in a season jointly with Guardiola. During the 2011/12 season, Klopp’s side lost three of their first six games, but then also went on an 28 game unbeaten record to win the league.
Alonso is now edging closer to matching that landmark after an incredible season at Leverkusen. He’s already managed to go unbeaten against every opponent in the Bundesliga. Now he is in with a chance of making history.
Given his Liverpool affiliations it’s no surprise people are talking about him as a potential successor to Klopp’s throne. Already he is proving himself to be an elite manager.
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