Having retired from active service at the end of last season, Xabi Alonso has announced that he now intends to move into the world of football management.
The Spanish midfielder bought his impeccable playing career to an end by winning a Bundesliga title at Bayern Munich before sauntering off into the sunset with a suitably poetic requiem: “Lived it, loved it. Farewell…”
Now, four months later, Alonso has confirmed that he’s bought himself a sharp suit and tie and has spent the last four months practising his ‘pensive, thoughtful’ dugout face in front of the mirror at home.
Xabi Alonso has confirmed he is going into management 👏
Imagine @XabiAlonso in the dugout at Anfield 😍 pic.twitter.com/5oelW6abVQ
— The Anfield Wrap (@TheAnfieldWrap) September 25, 2017
In a short video shared via his official Instagram account, Alonso said:
After 17 years in the game, I have considered the next step in my career. I have decided to go into management. Find out soon.
The big tease.
It’s fairly common knowledge that the 35-year-old had begun pursuing his coaching badges last season, and let’s face it, he already *looks* the part.
Allay that to the fact that he’s trained, played and absorbed know-how from the likes of Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Rafa Benitez, Jose Mourinho, Luis Aragones and Vicente Del Bosque over the years.
As head-starts go, that’s none too shabby.