Published 15:43 IST, November 19th 2019

Xabi Alonso: 'I left Real Madrid for Bayern because of Pep Guardiola'

Xabi Alonso has revealed that his decision to leave Real Madrid for Bayern Munich back in 2014 was down to Pep Guardiola and his secrets in management.

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Xabi Alonso has finally revealed his reason to swap Real Madrid for Bayern Munich in 2014. Apparently, Alonso was so curious about Pep Guardiola's coaching methods, he had to work under Guardiola before hanging up his boots.

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Journo: Why did you leave Real Madrid for Bayern?

Xabi Alonso “I was so curious to find out Guardiola's secrets. He has a relentless natural enthusiasm. Football seasons are long but right until the very end, Pep never seemed to be tired.” #Pep
— The Pep (@GuardiolaTweets) November 16, 2019

Xabi Alonso Bayern Munich connection

Xabi Alonso swapped clubs in 2014 after five seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu where he won six major trophies. Alonso left Real Madrid three months after helping them win the Champions League in 2014 to complete Madrid's quest for 'La Decima'. He went on to spend three more years with Bayern Munich before announcing his retirement in March 2017. He won three Bundesliga titles during his time in Germany.

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Xabi Alonso praises Pep Guardiola

🗣| Xabi Alonso on working with Pep Guardiola at Bayern.

“Football seasons are long but right until the very end, Pep never seemed to be tired. He was alert, always ready. For the players, maybe this gave us an extra few metres in our legs when it mattered most.” pic.twitter.com/PTfhrnzasV
— City Chief (@City_Chief) November 17, 2019

In an interview with an English magazine, Xabi Alonso has revealed that he left Real Madrid for Bayern Munich because he was "curious" to find out Pep Guardiola's coaching secrets. Alonso revealed that he always had an eye for coaching and wanted to learn a thing or two from Guardiola (who at that time was coaching the German club) before entering the world of coaching. The former Liverpool star is making his first strides in management after taking over at Real Sociedad B in the summer.

Xabi Alonso praised Pep Guardiola's methods as he admitted Guardiola's relentless enthusiasm as boss helped him a lot in the Bundesliga. According to Alonso, Guardiola was always alert and ready for his players which may be helped them go the extra mile when needed.

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And his nemesis - Jurgen Klopp

Xabi Alonso also reserved special praise for Guardiola's great rival - Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp. Alonso admitted he didn't like playing against Klopp's Borussia Dortmund as the intensity and constant pressure of his side was sometimes too much for a player to handle.

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07:44 IST, November 19th 2019

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