Ex-Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso speeds up and down while directing his new charges during rain on Friday night in San Sebastian – Real Sociedad’s youth team, in Spain’s second division is playing.
It may seem a humble managerial role for greats like Alonso, winner of the World Cup, two European championships, the Champions League with Liverpool and domestic league titles with Real and Bayern, but the 39-year-old couldn’t be happier.
“I’m from here, I feel a strong connection to this city and this club. So when I decided to become a coach, it was an easy change here, because I was in a hurry to start at a big club or first-class Or the need was not felt,” he told Reuters in an interview. Day.
“I wanted to take my time, get to know myself and improve. It’s a process, and here I have the full support of the club and probably a big margin for error,” Alonso told Zubieta, Real Sociedad’s training ground. I said with a smile after leading my team’s practice.
Alonso is in his third season managing the second team, taking them to the second highest division in Spanish football For the first time in more than 60 years.
At Friday night’s game, Real Sociedad first team players Mikel Merino and Mikel Oyarzabal – both Spanish internationals – and former Real Madrid midfielder Asier Illaramendi and goalkeeper Alex Ramiro all sit in the stands watching.
Most of them were also players of the second team in their youth before making the transition to the first team.
“It is usually difficult for the first team to jump but here it became a bit natural. He feels that two days ago it was his team, his family. So the connection is pure and authentic,” Alonso explained.
Despite having players like former Manchester City legend David Silva, Swedish striker Alexander Isaacs and Belgium international Adnan Janusz, Real Sociedad aim to have at least 60% of their first-team players from their youth programme.
In fact, many of his best players were born or grew up close to San Sebastian and have spent years in Zubieta, where the training complex is based, before turning professional, a process Alonso clearly respects.
“I have two missions in my job: I have to develop and educate my players so that they are ready to make the move to the first team at any time, but I’m also in the second division and I want to compete,” he said. said.
“It’s extremely difficult to do both at the same time but it’s an exciting challenge that pushes us to the limit every day. It’s a huge demand but it’s good because I constantly learn from it.”
Thanks to his reputation and results as a youth coach at Real Sociedad, Alonso knows his name can be in demand from elite clubs that are in the market for coaches. But it seems he is in no hurry to sign elsewhere.
“I don’t know how long I’ll be there or if I’m leaving at all, but now I’m happy, I love what I do. I live day by day and there’s no time limit to taking the next step.” No. I have ambition, but I’m not in a rush to coach at the elite level.”
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