Xabi Alonso Credits Florian Wirtz for Real Madrid Managerial Appointment Amid Liverpool Transfer Challenges

Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid's manager, attributes part of his appointment at the club to his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate Florian Wirtz, who was instrumental in their historic Bundesliga and German Cup double in the 2023–24 season. Despite a high-profile £100 million transfer to Liverpool, Wirtz has struggled to score in his first 14 appearances, prompting Alonso and Liverpool manager Slot to emphasize the need for patience as he adapts to the more intense Premier League. Alonso praised Wirtz's quality, personality, and competitiveness, expressing confidence that the German midfielder will soon find his form. The duo's successful partnership at Leverkusen was a key factor in Alonso securing the Real Madrid job. Additionally, Alonso addressed Vinicius Jr.'s recent frustration during a match, noting that the player apologized and the team has moved on from the incident. Real Madrid currently leads LaLiga and will face Liverpool in an upcoming Champions League match, marking a reunion between Alonso and Wirtz on opposing sides.