Xabi Alonso was praised for ‘practicing what he’s preached’ during training with his Bayer Leverkusen squad as the former midfield maestro showcased his skills while instructing his team on passing drills.
Alonso led Leverkusen to their first-ever Bundesliga title this season with the newly-crowned champions maintaining their unbeaten record and qualifying for the Europa League semi-finals.
The former Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich star is currently preparing his side of title-winners for a weekend clash against Stuttgart before traveling to Italy to face Roma.
A viral video clip shows Alonso becoming frustrated with his players before moving from the side-lines to get involved in the ball-playing drill himself.
Alonso shouts at his players ‘no long ball’ as he demands more interlinking passing play through midfield and gathers his players to show them exactly what he wants them to do.
Xabi Alonso was praised for ‘practicing what he’s preached’ during training with his Bayer Leverkusen squad
Fans praised Alonso’s tactical approach while working with his Bayer Leverkusen squad
Alonso shouts ‘no long balls’ at his players during training before getting more involved in the drill
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The 42-year-old stepped into the centre circle on the training pitch and demonstrated how to receive the ball on the half-turn before passing the ball forward quickly.
He later re-took his position back at the side of the pitch and watched his plan executed to perfection while further encouraging his players be put through their paces.
Ironically, Alonso was most well-known during his playing days for being one of the best at unlocking defences with long balls over the top, but demanded the opposite from his team.
The Leverkusen manager shows his players how to receive the ball on the half-turn before passing forward
Fans on social media were quick to heap praise on Alonso’s coaching, with some believing he is already looking perfectly-suited to takeover at Real Madrid.
One post on X reacting to Alonso said: ‘Inevitable he goes to Real Madrid and wins a treble.’
Another added: ‘Imagine having a coach like that who can practice what he’s preaching. Elite.’
‘A coach that knows what he wants,’ said another admirer of the former World Cup winner.