Lahm backs Alonso to make right call on future

BERLIN: Philipp Lahm backed Bayer Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso on Tuesday to make the right decision on his future, calling his former Bayern Munich teammate “a strategist”.

“Xabi Alonso has always been a strategist. You could already predict he was going to become a great coach,” Lahm told AFP in an interview.

Lahm played alongside Alonso for three years at Bayern, with both retiring in the summer of 2017.

Lahm is now tournament director for Euro 2024 hosts Germany, while Alonso has since emerged into the hotest coaching property in football.

Alonso’s Leverkusen are on track for a firstever Bundesliga title, siting 10 points clear of Bayern in the league with eight games remaining.

Unbeaten in all competitions, Leverkusen have made it to the semi-finals of the German Cup and the last eight of the Europa League.

As a result Alonso has been linked to a return to former clubs Bayern and Liverpool, with both sides set to have coaching vacancies this summer.

Lahm said Alonso’s on-field smarts were evident not only in his coaching, but in his career progression.

“Xabi was an intelligent player, but is also an intelligent person and that’s why I think he is thinking carefully about what his next steps could be.

“Is now the right time (to move on from Leverkusen) or later?

“I’m excited to see (where he goes). I’m sure he’ll coach bigger clubs than Leverkusen in his coaching career.

“But I’m also curious about what he’s doing. This year, maybe next year?

“I’m curious and excited -- and I just enjoy watching the football he has Leverkusen playing.”

Alonso had litle coaching experience when he took over with Leverkusen dangling close to the relegation zone in October 2022.