An interview José Mourinho gave at the end of 2019 is becoming increasingly viral, and there's one reason for it.
Back then, the Special One predicted incredible success in the coaching career of his former protege at Real Madrid, Xabi Alonso. Mourinho compared himself to the Spaniard and said that while working with him as a player, he saw the potential for Xabi to become a coach.
"I would say Xabi Alonso, his father was a manager so he grew up similar to me, he grew up with a father player, with a father manager. Then he becomes a top player, of course much better than I was with his position on the pitch and knowledge of the game very high," Mourinho stated.
The Special One explained that the quality of the coaches Alonso worked under during his playing career could help shape him into an outstanding manager.
"Then he played in Spain in England and in Germany. He was coached by Guardiola at Bayern, by myself and Ancelotti in Real Madrid, by Benitez in Liverpool.
"So if you put all this together I think Xabi has the conditions to be a very good coach," the legendary manager predicted.
It can be said with confidence that Mourinho knew what he was talking about, as Alonso is now one of the most sought-after coaches in Europe.
Xabi conquered the football world in his second season, leading Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title on Sunday, ending Bayern Munich's hegemony of eleven consecutive titles.
Alonso's team demolished Werder Bremen at home with a score of 5-0 to clinch the title, and fans stormed the field before the final whistle for celebrations. With this victory, Leverkusen set a new Bundesliga record, going unbeaten in 29 matches in the domestic championship.
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