Bayer Leverkusen is the only team in the Europe without a single defeat and they are current Bundesliga leaders, with eight point’s difference over the second-place Bayern Munich, the eleven-time consecutive champion. And the main reason for this is the coach – Xabi Alonso. Off course, he has a very talented squad full of good players, which is definitely a sign of a good job by the sporting sector, but sometimes we see other great teams who are not playing well, despite all their talent (see: Bayern Munich). So, the Spanish tactician is praised (with a reason), and after only one and a half years as a manager, he is already on the crossroads and is given advice from other managers, from Lotthar Matthaus and Julian Nagelsmann, to Rafa Benitez.He could be as pricey as Nagelsmann but you won’t feel bad for splashing the moneyAfter it’s been revealed that Alonso has a clause in his contract which allows him to leave Bayer in case some of his old clubs come calling, he was all over the news. After Carlo Ancelotti renewed his contract with Real Madrid, one club was out of the running, but when Jurgen Klopp announced that he is leaving Liverpool, the ‘hunt’ on Alonso was on. Things got heated when Bayern Munich, the third club from Xabi’s contract clause also decided to change coach come May. And now the Spanish tactician has three options: to take over Liverpool, or Bayern, or stay in Bayer. Former Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who coached Xabi during his tenure with the Reds was asked to comment on his former player and potential coach of the England giants and he praised the Spaniard but gave him a warning.Nageslmann’s advice which can discourage Alonso“Alonso was clever and analysed. When you explain things to some players, you have to repeat. Xabi was one who learned quickly. He’s a big name, good professional, good lad, clever, doing really well so I understand. But imagine Steven Gerrard was around and doing well. Then it would be: ‘Gerrard!’ With social media everything is going too fast so that people don’t see the big picture” said Rafa to Guardian.Liverpool contacted Alonso back in NovemberAlonso also got some indirect advice from former Bayern coach Julian Nagelsmann, while former Munich player Lotthar Matthaus claimed that Xabi and the Bavarians would be perfect together, but also stated that he believes that he will eventually stay in Leverkusen.“I can’t think of any coach in Europe or the world who fits Bayern Munich better than Xabi Alonso. But Alonso is focused on Bayer Leverkusen and I think that is good. He is not yet interested in Bayern Munich, nor in Liverpool or Real Madrid. He is only interested in winning three titles with Leverkusen in the next two and a half months. Xabi is not someone who gets carried away by big names, he has celebrated too many successes as a player for that. He, in addition, is not going to be guided by the economic aspect. What matters to him is what he has built and who he has built it with. He knows where he comes from and what he owes to others. That’s why I don’t think he’s going to sign for another club next season” explained Matthaus.BUNDESLIGAFriday 22.30: (6.50) Freiburg (4.40) Bayern (1.50)Saturday 17.30: (2.85) Heidenheim (3.35) Eintr.Frankfurt (2.65)17.30: (3.45) Union Berlin (3.50) Dortmund (2.20)17.30: (5.30) Bochum (3.80) RB Leipzig (1.67)17.30: (2.05) Mainz (3.60) M’ gladbach (3.80)17.30: (2.80) Darmstadt (3.40) Augsburg (2.50)20.30: (3.25) Wolfsburg (3.45) Stuttgart (2.20)Sunday 17.30: (8.50) Koln (4.90) Leverkusen (1.37)***odds are subject to change
