Xabi Alonso announces Bayer Leverkusen exit

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laud55

Well-Known Member
www.skysports.com

Xabi Alonso announces Bayer Leverkusen exit at end of season ahead of expected Real Madrid return

Xabi Alonso won an unbeaten league and cup double with Bayer Leverkusen last season, just falling short of a remarkable treble with defeat in the Europa League final, and is now set to return to Real Madrid, reports Sky in Germany, with Carlo Ancelotti in talks over Brazil switch
www.skysports.com www.skysports.com

With Real Madrid almost certainly the next stamp on his passport I don't suppose he is heading Govan way ...
 
I'm something of a Real Madrid fan, if you accept a "second team" idea as such.

My biggest concern with them right now is that they've taken over the place PSG held for so many years where the players think they're more important than the manager. Ancelotti and Zidane worked with that to an extent because their styles are very much 'let the players figure it out'.

Alonso is going to face the sort of issues many managers had at PSG - you can't go there and control this lot, because they know for a fact they're a bigger asset to the club than the manager is. Nothing sums up their issues more than the constant rumours of Rodrygo moving on when he's been the most consistent and impressive of their attacking players.

But they need to make space so that Vini Jr, Mbappe and Bellingham can all play in the biggest games, and it hasn't worked when all four are starting games. They are all amazing players, of course, but they also all want to do their own thing, want to be the star, and getting them to work hard and play as a team is going to be very difficult.

Here's hoping he can manage to do it, because it could be special.
 
Gallant pioneers said:
Yip they are ruthless

There was a German coach ( whose name I forgot). Won the champions league but not the domestic league and they sacked him
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When you look at their trophy cabinet you can't really argue with the ruthless way they operate.

On the other hand, it just doesn't sit right with me the way that they seem unable to forgive falling short in either of the big two competitions they enter each year (the league and the CL). Players and managers are not robots. You cannot reasonably be expected to win every match and every tournament every season.

It just seems a bit soulless, like they want to win things just to tick a box before hastily moving on to next season, rather than doing it for the sheer joy of victory or as the payoff at the end of several years building a team.

I find clubs with patience and quiet determination more interesting than the likes of Real who apparently show no loyalty to managers.
 
Do these Big Name managers really matter at these type of clubs? I've always thought it was all the support staff in the background that basically stay the same for years that make the difference. The scouts, the other coaches, DOF's. Clubs like Real, Barca, Bayern will have people in the background that have been there for years doing the real work.
 
strider said:
I'm something of a Real Madrid fan, if you accept a "second team" idea as such.

My biggest concern with them right now is that they've taken over the place PSG held for so many years where the players think they're more important than the manager. Ancelotti and Zidane worked with that to an extent because their styles are very much 'let the players figure it out'.

Alonso is going to face the sort of issues many managers had at PSG - you can't go there and control this lot, because they know for a fact they're a bigger asset to the club than the manager is. Nothing sums up their issues more than the constant rumours of Rodrygo moving on when he's been the most consistent and impressive of their attacking players.

But they need to make space so that Vini Jr, Mbappe and Bellingham can all play in the biggest games, and it hasn't worked when all four are starting games. They are all amazing players, of course, but they also all want to do their own thing, want to be the star, and getting them to work hard and play as a team is going to be very difficult.

Here's hoping he can manage to do it, because it could be special.
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It's always been like that in measure though. It was said for long enough that Raul was the most powerful man at the club apart from the president and any manager who took him on was effectively toast. It's the nature of being at the very top - big talents and big egos.

As you say, Carlo and Zizu were perfect for it, it's going to be very interesting to see how Alonso adapts.

Perez could buy him a right hand side, some actual centre backs and a different kind of striking option to give him a chance. They also have problems in the middle, Kroos has been a huge miss and neither Tchuameni or Camavinga looks like becoming the player they promised to be.
 
I actually wanted Alonso to replace Gerrard.

Obviously no idea if he'd have fancied it or if it would have made financial sense but it was clear to see he was going to be a good manager.
 
Simultaneously the most impressive (Simone Inzaghi aside) and baffling tactician in football. Perhaps too smart for his own good at times, especially this season.

The end of an era, but it feels like the right time for both Leverkusen and Alonso.
 
CortesGoldenBoots said:
It's always been like that in measure though. It was said for long enough that Raul was the most powerful man at the club apart from the president and any manager who took him on was effectively toast. It's the nature of being at the very top - big talents and big egos.

As you say, Carlo and Zizu were perfect for it, it's going to be very interesting to see how Alonso adapts.

Perez could buy him a right hand side, some actual centre backs and a different kind of striking option to give him a chance. They also have problems in the middle, Kroos has been a huge miss and neither Tchuameni or Camavinga looks like becoming the player they promised to be.
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Tchoumeni has had a good season and his stats in midfield are pretty good.

Only blighted by his injuries and having to play as a make shift centre back.

I don't think there is a midfielder in world football than will be able to replace Kroos.
 
Blootoonboy said:
Tchoumeni has had a good season and his stats in midfield are pretty good.

Only blighted by his injuries and having to play as a make shift centre back.

I don't think there is a midfielder in world football than will be able to replace Kroos.
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Tchoumeni has his uses, he's just not all that he was hyped to be. Same goes for Camavinga really,

I agree that there's no like for like replacement for Kroos, but Madrid have let the likes of Neves slip though their fingers which they must be looking at with regret now.
 
strider said:
I'm something of a Real Madrid fan, if you accept a "second team" idea as such.

My biggest concern with them right now is that they've taken over the place PSG held for so many years where the players think they're more important than the manager. Ancelotti and Zidane worked with that to an extent because their styles are very much 'let the players figure it out'.

Alonso is going to face the sort of issues many managers had at PSG - you can't go there and control this lot, because they know for a fact they're a bigger asset to the club than the manager is. Nothing sums up their issues more than the constant rumours of Rodrygo moving on when he's been the most consistent and impressive of their attacking players.

But they need to make space so that Vini Jr, Mbappe and Bellingham can all play in the biggest games, and it hasn't worked when all four are starting games. They are all amazing players, of course, but they also all want to do their own thing, want to be the star, and getting them to work hard and play as a team is going to be very difficult.

Here's hoping he can manage to do it, because it could be special.
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SnPJyxje5bvZMBKiM5K4ih.jpg
 
CortesGoldenBoots said:
Tchoumeni has his uses, he's just not all that he was hyped to be. Same goes for Camavinga really,

I agree that there's no like for like replacement for Kroos, but Madrid have let the likes of Neves slip though their fingers which they must be looking at with regret now.
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Agreed, Camavinga has been a disappointment. I still don't know what kind of midfielder he is supposed to be…

Talk of Zubimendi and Nico Paz being linked with a return.

Huijsen should be a priority and Alonso might bring Tah with him on a free.

Then its just a LB and striker required…

I can see Rodrygo leaving, he’s the most dispensable and has had a poor year tbh.
 
Flagg said:
They announced mid-season that Guardiola was coming in, Heynckes won the treble after being told by Bayern to retire at the end of the season to make way
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I’d have walked into the last board meeting with all 3 trophies, put them on the table, poured myself a very large expensive single malt, lit the biggest cigar I could find and asked for my final performance review and a reference before leaving.
 
Flagg said:
They announced mid-season that Guardiola was coming in, Heynckes won the treble after being told by Bayern to retire at the end of the season to make way
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And Heynckes' Bayern was better than Guardiola's

Heynckes' Bayern is one of the best teams of the last 2 decades. Other than Guardiola's Barca I would argue them against any other team.
 
Blootoonboy said:
Agreed, Camavinga has been a disappointment. I still don't know what kind of midfielder he is supposed to be…

Talk of Zubimendi and Nico Paz being linked with a return.

Huijsen should be a priority and Alonso might bring Tah with him on a free.

Then its just a LB and striker required…

I can see Rodrygo leaving, he’s the most dispensable and has had a poor year tbh.
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Tah and Huijsen would be great additions. I think Asensio is also a player and has the mentality but I don't think he's ready for the load he's currently carrying.

Camavinga looked amazing when he broke through, he reads the game pretty well and he's very rangey, but I think the hope was that his passing game would become less ragged and it really hasn't. His nochalant style looks more like laziness when he's not playing well. Zubimendi looks like a pretty good choice, although they also need to think about replacing Modric who is nearly at the end of his amazing road road now. At least Valverde is in there as the dynamo that new players can dovetail with.

They have three left sided attackers and no-one naturally on the right, so selling Rodrygo seems like the sensible move, although I can't see the boy himself having much enthusiasm about it. They're crying out for balance though, the team has been criminally lopsided this season - even without a left back that anything like worthy of the shirt.
 
CortesGoldenBoots said:
Tah and Huijsen would be great additions. I think Asensio is also a player and has the mentality but I don't think he's ready for the load he's currently carrying.

Camavinga looked amazing when he broke through, he reads the game pretty well and he's very rangey, but I think the hope was that his passing game would become less ragged and it really hasn't. His nochalant style looks more like laziness when he's not playing well. Zubimendi looks like a pretty good choice, although they also need to think about replacing Modric who is nearly at the end of his amazing road road now. At least Valverde is in there as the dynamo that new players can dovetail with.

They have three left sided attackers and no-one naturally on the right, so selling Rodrygo seems like the sensible move, although I can't see the boy himself having much enthusiasm about it. They're crying out for balance though, the team has been criminally lopsided this season - even without a left back that anything like worthy of the shirt.
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Asensio is a great prospect, the only positive in a garbage season tbh.

I think the lob sided aspect of Real is highlighted even more with Carvajal being out, Vasquez just isnt a RB.

For being one of the greatest clubs in the world the lack of squad depth is criminal. Perez will treat Militao coming back as a new signing, will he ever be the same after 2 ACL’s? I’d also try and punt Alba, he is one of the best paid at the club and has regressed massively.
 
Blootoonboy said:
Asensio is a great prospect, the only positive in a garbage season tbh.

I think the lob sided aspect of Real is highlighted even more with Carvajal being out, Vasquez just isnt a RB.

For being one of the greatest clubs in the world the lack of squad depth is criminal. Perez will treat Militao coming back as a new signing, will he ever be the same after 2 ACL’s? I’d also try and punt Alba, he is one of the best paid at the club and has regressed massively.
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Yeah, I agree with all of that, dude.

The interesting thing with Alonso coming in is whether Perez knocks off his abiding Galacticos instinct, because it seems at odds with Alonso's approach. Will he allow Alonso to build his own team? I'm far from convinced.
 
laud55 said:
www.skysports.com

Xabi Alonso announces Bayer Leverkusen exit at end of season ahead of expected Real Madrid return

Xabi Alonso won an unbeaten league and cup double with Bayer Leverkusen last season, just falling short of a remarkable treble with defeat in the Europa League final, and is now set to return to Real Madrid, reports Sky in Germany, with Carlo Ancelotti in talks over Brazil switch
www.skysports.com www.skysports.com

With Real Madrid almost certainly the next stamp on his passport I don't suppose he is heading Govan way ...
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B ring him h ome!
 
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CortesGoldenBoots said:
Yeah, I agree with all of that, dude.

The interesting thing with Alonso coming in is whether Perez knocks off his abiding Galacticos instinct, because it seems at odds with Alonso's approach. Will he allow Alonso to build his own team? I'm far from convinced.
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I have my doubt about Alonso, doesn't he favour a 3 4 3 formation too? I dont think RM have the right players to play that kind of formation. The players at the moment favour a 433 or a 41212.

Read this morning from Romano that Zubimendi has agreed to join Arsenal for 60 mil. Thats a potential target gone..
 
Real Madrid, the team of General Francisco Franco Bahamonde who allied with the Roman Cult overthrew a democratically elected Spanish Government and reigned with genocidal terror from 1938 till 1973. That was until the Bears arrived in Barcelona in 1972 and kicked seven shades of shite out of his fascist police. This inspired the Spanish people to shake of the shackles of his tyranny and he was soon gone. F.uck Real Madrid.*

* You won't read of this in history books but trust me, I was there.:)
 
Broxi96 said:
And Heynckes' Bayern was better than Guardiola's

Heynckes' Bayern is one of the best teams of the last 2 decades. Other than Guardiola's Barca I would argue them against any other team.
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Beckenbauer himself said the 12/13 is the best Bayern side of all time.
 
Broxi96 said:
And Heynckes' Bayern was better than Guardiola's

Heynckes' Bayern is one of the best teams of the last 2 decades. Other than Guardiola's Barca I would argue them against any other team.
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Rijkaard’s 05-06 Barcelona team eclipses Pep’s for me.
 
Amazing what he's achieved in such a short space of time

Looks like Frimpong is off to Liverpool also for £34 million. The mentally challengeds have a 30% sell on fee
 
iaatpies said:
His Bayern team featuring Philip Lahm when they absolutely destroyed Barcelona in a European quarter or semi final was absolutely immense. Fast, aggressive, direct football without resorting to the aimless long ball. They were brilliant to watch that season.
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Guardiola's 2008-2011 Barcelona team are widely regarded as the greatest club side ever and it would be difficult to argue with that.

However, that 2012/13 Bayern side were the most enjoyable team I think I've ever watched. To me they were basically like that Barca side but far more direct. Barca held on to the ball sometimes for the sake of it, playing short passes between the midfield at times when it wasn't really needed but that Bayern team that won the Treble were just all out attack. Brilliant team to watch.
 
Josh Allen said:
Guardiola's 2008-2011 Barcelona team are widely regarded as the greatest club side ever and it would be difficult to argue with that.

However, that 2012/13 Bayern side were the most enjoyable team I think I've ever watched. To me they were basically like that Barca side but far more direct. Barca held on to the ball sometimes for the sake of it, playing short passes between the midfield at times when it wasn't really needed but that Bayern team that won the Treble were just all out attack. Brilliant team to watch.
Click to expand...

They were like Barca but sped up. That 12/13 team were by far my favourite non-Rangers side of all time.

Brilliant to watch.
 
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