Huge Jose Mourinho manager prediction comes true amid Mauricio Pochettino Chelsea sack pressure

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho predicted that Xabi Alonso would succeed as a manager, years before being appointed Bayer Leverkusen boss

Former Chelsea manager Jose Mouinho predicted that Xabi Alonso would excel as a manager. The iconic Blues boss, who won three Premier League titles across two stints at Stamford Bridge, was already aware that Alonso could become a top coach, years before he took over at Bayer Leverkusen.

Mourinho managed the ex-Liverpool midfielder during his time at Real Madrid. Alonso enjoyed a remarkably successful playing career, twice winning the Champions League, as well as the World Cup and Euros with Spain.

After hanging up his boots, the Spaniard took charge of Real Madrid’s youth team, as well as Real Sociedad B, before becoming Bayer Leverkusen manager in October 2022. Building on his stellar first season, Leverkusen are currently top of the Bundesliga – and Mourinho forecasted that Alonso would excel as a manager, back in 2019.

“He grew up similar to me. He was born to a father who was a player and a manager,” Mourinho explained. ”Then [Xabi] became a top player – of course, much better than I was. His position on the pitch and his knowledge of the game is very high.

“He played in Spain, in England and in Germany. He was coached by Guardiola in Bayern, myself and Ancelotti at Real Madrid, by Benitez at Liverpool. If you put all this together, I think Xabi has the conditions to be a very good coach.”

The early signs are that Mourinho was right to tip Alonso for success. The 42-year-old was linked with the Chelsea job last year, prior to the appointment of Maurico Pochettino.