Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso, born on November 25, 1981, is a distinguished Spanish football manager and former player, celebrated as one of the greatest midfielders of his generation. Renowned for his exceptional passing range and long-distance shooting, Alonso has transitioned into coaching, where he is recognized as one of the best young managers in the world.

Alonso's professional journey began at Real Sociedad, where he captained the team and led them to a runners-up finish in La Liga during the 2002–03 season. His move to Liverpool in 2004 for ten point five million pounds marked the start of a successful era, culminating in a UEFA Champions League victory in his debut season, where he notably scored in the final. His subsequent transfer to Real Madrid in 2009 for thirty million pounds saw him secure numerous titles, including La Liga and two Copa del Rey trophies.

In 2014, Alonso joined Bayern Munich, where he enjoyed further success, winning three Bundesliga titles and achieving a domestic double in his second season before retiring in 2017. On the international stage, he made his debut for Spain in April 2003 and was instrumental in the national team's triumphs, winning the European Championship in 2008 and 2012, as well as the 2010 World Cup. He earned a total of 114 caps, making him the eighth-most capped player in Spain's history.

After his playing career, Alonso began coaching Real Madrid's U14 team and later took charge of Real Sociedad B in 2019, achieving promotion to the Segunda División in his second season. His managerial prowess was further highlighted during his tenure at Bayer Leverkusen, where he completed an unprecedented unbeaten domestic double in 2024, securing the club's first Bundesliga title and DFB-Pokal since 1993. In June 2025, he returned to Real Madrid as head coach but departed after seven months by mutual consent.