New Bayern Munich midfielder Xabi Alonso has said that the former manager of fierce rivals Barcelona, Pep Guardiola, was one of the main pull factors behind his move to Germany.
The 32-year-old had a successful five years at the Santiago Bernabeu, winning the La Liga title and the Champions League whilst in the Los Blancos shirt, and even managed to transfer his form to the international stage as Spain won the 2010 World Cup and Euro 2012 during Alonso’s spell in the Spanish capital.
But the move motivated by a man so synonymous with Real’s fiercest rivals will surely confuse Madridistas, as he said: “I know Pep very well from the games against Barca. It’s clear to me how he wants to play.”
The midfielder admitted himself that he felt the move was weird, as he made his debut against Schalke a day after signing, before watching his ex-teammates surrender a two goal lead to lose 4-2 to Alonso’s first club, Real Sociedad.
Alonso said: “It’s all gone very quickly. My debut was very pleasant, although it would have been ever better with a win.”
‘It was a bit weird seeing my old teammates on the TV. Nobody expected that result, I was a bit surprised.”
