Kylian Mbappe has tipped the former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso to become a “great coach” in the future, seemingly sticking up for his old manager, who was fired in January
Kylian Mbappe and Xabi Alonso during a game between Olympiacos and Real Madrid(Image: Alex Pantling – UEFA via Getty Images)
Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe has praised Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder, for his ability as a coach, despite him being fired by the La Liga giant earlier this year.
Alonso took over from Carlo Ancelotti but only lasted a few months. Real Madrid has since ended the season trophyless, and its president, Florentino Perez, made some bizarre statements in a press conference a few days ago, in which he accused the media of having an agenda against him, among other things.
Mbappe, though, says Alonso was doing a good job. The Frenchman believes that he will go on to become a good coach elsewhere, with Chelsea hoping to bring him to Stamford Bridge this summer.
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“We had a structure in our game, and we lost it — that hurts a lot,” Mbappe told Spanish media after Real Madrid beat Real Oviedo on Thursday.
“I had a great relationship with Xabi Alonso. He is going to become a great coach, but that is now in the past. We have to look forward.
“We did not win titles and that hurts because we showed we were capable of much more. We all share responsibility and we have to change this.”
Mbappe has made his feelings clear(Image: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Mbappe was jeered by the Real Madrid fans when he was introduced as a substitute. Vinicius Jr, Gonzalo Garcia and Franco Mastantuono started ahead of the 27-year-old in attack for Alvaro Arbeloa.
He later insisted that he is “very happy” at Real Madrid, but things have not gone to plan for Mbappe since leaving PSG. Favoring the same role as Vinicius at the Bernabeu, the team looks imbalanced.
“I haven’t played because for the coach I’ve been the fourth striker in the squad behind Mastantuono, Vini and Gonzalo,” Mbappe explained.
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“I was ready to start, but it’s his (manager Arbeloa’s) decision, and it always has to be respected.
“I have no problem at all with Arbeloa. You have to accept the coach’s philosophy and I have to do better to play ahead of Vini, Gonzalo and Mastantuono.”
Liverpool.com says: Alonso is clearly a very talented coach, but that is exactly why he needs to choose his next role wisely. Amid a lack of other options, the Premier League appears to be the logical next step. Going to Chelsea, though, would be a huge risk.
The Stamford Bridge side operates in a specific way and even if he is told that things will change in the future, it would be a gamble to move to West London this summer.