Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso recently revealed in an interaction with students that his transition into coaching was primarily motivated by his “curiosity about the game,” which developed during his playing days as a midfielder, according to a report from Madrid Universal.
Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso recently discussed his ongoing managerial journey, highlighting the importance of upholding the club’s values and the influence of his time playing abroad, according to a report from Madrid Universal.
Speaking to students at the Real Madrid University School, Alonso detailed the motivations behind his career transition and his philosophy on the high standards at the club.
When asked about coaching the first team after having trained the academy, Alonso stated:
“As I had already lived them as a player, I keep them in a natural way. You have to respect the history of Real Madrid and how this great club has been built.”
He emphasized the club’s relentless pursuit of high standards, adding: “That search for excellence, that generosity and that effort are indisputable in the club.”
Alonso stressed that the commitment to excellence extends beyond the field: “The pitch is what shines the brightest, but there are many other areas… that make this work. Everything has to be linked, and that is an intangible asset of the club that is very valuable.”
On his personal development, Alonso highlighted the value of leaving one’s comfort zone, recalling his move to Liverpool at 22 to attend university.
He credits his time abroad for shaping his career path: “Seeing the world, meeting people from everywhere and other cultures helped me a lot. Probably if I hadn’t had that experience as a player, I wouldn’t be here now.”
Finally, he revealed the core motivation for becoming a coach after retiring: “I was motivated by curiosity about the game… I was always curious about why things happen, maybe it was because of the position I had.
That invited me to be close to this.” He also affirmed his measured approach to the job, adding: “I didn’t want to take the steps too fast, that’s why I started here with the children [academy].”