Bayer Leverkusen forward Nathan Tella is confident Xabi Alonso will thrive at Spanish side Real Madrid if given the chance to settle.
Alonso joined Real Madrid ahead of the recently-concluded FIFA Club World Cup tournament in the United States, following Carlo Ancelotti’s exit at the end of last season.
Read this: Real Madrid confirm Xabi Alonso as manager
The Spaniard led Bayer Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga crown in the 2023-24 season, ending the league campaign unbeaten with their only defeat of the season coming in the Europa League final to Atalanta.
“Obviously, Alonso is a brilliant manager; there’s no surprise. Even last season, before he went to Real Madrid, he got interest from a lot of the big clubs in world football”, the Super Eagles star said.
“For him to be a part of the team (Leverkusen) and to have him as our manager, he was able to bring a different side to the game to us.
We were able to see the game, I especially, I was able to see the game from a different point of view, and to have him working with us, and now he’s gone to Real Madrid”, he continued.
The 43-year-old led Real Madrid to the semifinals of the Club World Cup, before bowing out to European champions PSG.
Despite the disappointment of the tournament, Tella expects Alonso to achieve great success at the Spanish giants.
“It’s not like we should just forget the things, or I shouldn’t forget the things he’s taught me, because he’s a manager who’s world-class.
He’s arguably been the best manager in the past two years. I think some of the stuff he’s taught me, not just on the pitch, but also off the pitch, is valuable for my whole life”, Tella added.
“So, I wouldn’t say that he’s going to struggle at Real Madrid. If anything, I think he’ll get even better than how he was with us.”
Bayer Leverkusen have since appointed Erik Ten Hag as Alonso’s successor, with the former Manchester United manager tasked with reclaiming the Bundesliga crown from Bayern Munich next season.
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