Guardiola hails Xabi Alonso as incoming Real Madrid manager speaks on Wirtz’s future

Despite being a former Barcelona head coach, Pep Guardiola could not help but rave about the Madrid-bound Alonso on Friday.

Guardiola signed Alonso for Bayern Munich in 2014, and they went on to win the Bundesliga title twice.

As a manager, Alonso led Bayer to the domestic double – the Bundesliga and the German Cup – last season, and Guardiola is a huge fan.

BBC Sport quotes Guardiola as saying: “Wow, his impact on Leverkusen has been unbelievable,” he said. “I think all the managers who had the opportunity and the pleasure to have him as a player always realised that he would be a manager.

“Going to Germany and fighting with Bayern Munich is always so difficult. Last season, they were unbeaten except for the last game against Atalanta in the Europa League final.

“The way they played, the way he improved the players – I think Leverkusen themselves have to be so proud of the partnership that they had for just three years.” Closer than most.

Alonso will take over as Real Madrid manager with a clear tactical identity – one shaped by his successful spell at Bayer Leverkusen and rooted in a system he considers fundamental – a 3-4-3 formation.

Having begun his coaching career with the Real Sociedad B team, Alonso has polished and fine-tuned his tactical philosophy at Leverkusen and trusts the 3-4-3 or a 3-4-2-1 system.

At its core is a back three that demands two key qualities: composure when building from the back and the ability to win one-on-one duels. Ahead of the defensive line, Alonso relies on a double pivot to provide further solidity.

In attack, the tactical structure is designed to empower creative players – Florian Wirtz being the standout example while encouraging wing-backs to push forward.

Real Madrid’s attacking options will heavily influence how Alonso adapts his system, but his blueprint will serve as the starting point.

The report further states that the potential tactical switch under Alonso is already shaping Real Madrid’s transfer plans.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is expected to arrive this summer, fits Alonso’s ideal profile for a wing-back: pace, technical quality, and unpredictability. As such, Los Blancos are also searching for a similar profile on the opposite flank to mirror this role.

On top of that, as has already been reported, a new centre-back, possibly Dean Huijsen, and a new midfielder are also being targeted by the club.

As Real Madrid get set to usher in a new era, Alonso will bring with him a fresh, completely different tactical blueprint as the three-centre-back structure has seen little use under Ancelotti.

However, despite having a preferred system, the Spaniard values adaptability and will evolve his setup to suit the strengths of his players.

Meanwhile, Alonso has made a statement that sparked excitement among Real Madrid supporters, and it had everything to do with Florian Wirtz.

Wirtz has been one of the most talked-about names in European football this season. The 22-year-old midfielder has dazzled in the Bundesliga, helping Leverkusen to a historic season, and it is no surprise that some of the biggest clubs in Europe are lining up to secure his signature.

Bayern Munich is in pole position, but Alonso is unaware

As reported before, Bayern Munich, Manchester City, and Real Madrid are said to be the three main clubs fighting for him.

Recent reports suggest Bayern Munich were in pole position to land the talented German. It is even claimed that Wirtz had already ruled out joining either Manchester City or Real Madrid, and had privately told Alonso that Bayern was his only preferred option.

However, when Alonso was asked directly about these rumours, his answer told a different story. “Florian Wirtz has not told me that he only wants to go to Bayern,” the Spaniard said. “That is not my information.”

Alonso’s words have breathed new life into Real Madrid’s hopes of landing Wirtz. With no firm decision yet from the player, the door remains wide open for Madrid to make their move, and perhaps, under Alonso, the youngster could be convinced to follow his current coach to the Bernabeu.

As things stand, Wirtz’s future is still undecided. But one thing is certain that Real Madrid are still very much in the running.