Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas has publicly endorsed Xabi Alonso as the perfect candidate to lead the Spanish giants. Casillas, a club legend, expressed his strong belief in Alonso's coaching credentials and his potential to bring a new sense of belief to the squad.
Alonso, who was appointed as the head coach of Real Madrid last summer, saw his tenure with the club come to an end on January 12th. The 'Royal Club' officially announced the termination of their collaboration with the Spanish specialist, leaving a vacancy at the helm of one of the world's most storied football institutions.
In comments reported by Movistar, Casillas did not hold back his admiration for Alonso. "If you keep asking me, I will tell you that for me the ideal coach for the Madrid club would be Xabi Alonso," Casillas stated. "He is an ideal specialist, capable of giving the team confidence."
The former captain drew a parallel to a pivotal moment in the club's recent history to support his argument. He referenced the decision to dismiss Rafael Benitez and appoint Zinedine Zidane, a move that proved to be extraordinarily successful. "At the time, the decision was made to fire Rafa Benitez and appoint Zidane. Then everything went well," Casillas recalled, suggesting a similar bold move could yield positive results once again.
Casillas's endorsement carries significant weight given his legendary status at the club. His opinion suggests a desire within the club's old guard for a coach who understands the unique culture and demands of Real Madrid, a quality Alonso possesses in abundance from his time as a player at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The timing of these comments is notable, coming shortly after Alonso's departure. It indicates that discussions about the future direction of the club and potential managerial targets are already underway, with prominent figures like Casillas making their preferences known.
While the club's official decision-making process remains to be seen, the public backing from a figure as respected as Iker Casillas places Xabi Alonso firmly in the conversation for one of the most high-profile jobs in world football.
Based on reporting from Чемпионат.com.