Stephen Warnock has hailed Tottenham manager target Xabi Alonso as ‘very intelligent’ after playing alongside the former midfielder at Liverpool.
The 41-year-old is being touted to become Tottenham’s next manager and Warnock gave an insight into what he was like during their days at Anfield.
The former left-back added that Xabi Alonso ‘wasn’t a manager in waiting’ as a player, but, from a tactical standpoint, ‘he knew what the game was about’.
Alonso is currently the manager of German outfit Bayer Leverkusen, who are sitting sixth in the Bundesliga and they are in the semi-finals of the Europa League.
By the time the final ball is kicked, there is every chance that Leverkusen win the Europa League and secure Champions League football for next season.
That would only elevate Alonso’s stock even higher, with Warnock adding that it might be a risk pushing for the Spanish star fro Spurs’ perspective, although, ‘he will back himself’ to do a job in north London, as he told The Football Show on Sky Sports.
“I wouldn’t say he was a manager in waiting because of his demeanour and the way he was around the changing room,” said Warnock.
“He wasn’t digging people out or explaining things to people. But you knew, tactically in his head, he knew what the game was all about – He is now doing a fantastic job at Bayer Leverkusen.
On if Spurs need Alonso: “I think this is a very difficult one because it’s only really his first full season. At Bayer Leverkusen, you look at that and say ‘is it enough experience to then go into the Premier League and really test yourself?’
“Or do we need to see him over another season? Or do Tottenham feel that the gamble is big enough to take that chance because they have seen something in him that they feel is exceptional? He can’t be worse than what they have had in, let’s be honest?! He’s a really intelligent guy. He will back himself and he will give everything as well. I think he would be a very good man for Tottenham in his demeanour and the way he holds himself.”
WHO WILL BE TOTTENHAM’S NEXT MANAGER?
Ever since Antonio Conte was booted out, many names have been thrown on the table.
From a possible return for Mauricio Pochettino, although, it seems as though he will be going to Chelsea now to Burnley’s promotion-winning manager, Vincent Kompany, but he has since signed a new contract at Turf Moor.
Another interesting line emerging from the manager rumour mill is that Spurs are going to push for Alonso ahead of the recently-sacked Bayern Munich coach, Julian Nagelsmann.
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