MONCHENGLADBACH, Germany (AP) German media reports say former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso will take over as coach at Borussia Monchengladbach next season.
The tabloid Bild and its sister magazine Sport Bild first reported Monday that the 39-year-old Alonso, who had a distinguished playing career with Real Sociedad, Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, has agreed to replace current Gladbach coach Marco Rose, who is joining Borussia Dortmund next season.
Gladbach did not confirm the reports.8
”We’re not commentating on these stories and we’ll be in touch if there’s something to mention,” club spokesman Markus Aretz told news agency dpa.
Madrid-based sports newspaper Marca reported that Alonso’s representatives ”neither confirmed nor denied” the reports, but that Gladbach’s offer is ”the most attractive” for Alonso, who is currently in charge of Real Sociedad’s second team.
Alonso’s agent Inaki Ibanez told broadcaster Sport1: ”I generally do not comment on rumors. We’ll see what the future brings.”
Alonso has been coaching the Real Sociedad second team since 2019. The team is currently top of Group 2 in Spain’s third division.
Alonso won the World Cup with Spain in 2010, and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012. He retired aged 35 in 2017 and began coaching a Real Madrid youth team
Photo: FILE – In this May 3, 2016 file photo Bayern’s Xabi Alonso celebrates scoring the opening goal during the Champions League second leg semifinal soccer match between Bayern Munich and Atletico de Madrid in Munich, Germany. German media reports say that former Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso is to take over at Borussia Moenchengladbach coach next season. The tabloid Bild and its sister magazine Sport Bild first reported that the 39-year-old Alonso has agreed to take over from current Gladbach coach Marco Rose, who is joining Borussia Dortmund next season. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, file)
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