Bayer Leverkusen wing-back Jeremie Frimpong has offered a detailed assessment of Xabi Alonso’s managerial qualities, describing the former Spanish midfielder as a coach who immediately understood how to deploy him most effectively during their time together at Leverkusen.
“He is a great player, legend. He knows the game… when he first came, he just knew how to use me,” Frimpong said, outlining the instant understanding that developed between player and manager from Alonso’s earliest days at the club.
Frimpong, who played alongside Nigerian striker Victor Boniface under Alonso at Leverkusen, explained that the coach wasted no time in identifying pace and directness as his greatest assets. “He knew I could help the team a lot with my speed and my ability to get past people,” the Dutchman added, emphasising how that recognition translated directly into consistent performances in an advanced wide role.
Beyond man-management, Frimpong also highlighted Alonso’s tactical precision as a distinguishing quality. The Spaniard placed particular emphasis on final-third execution during training, drilling players on the timing and decision-making required to maximise attacking opportunities without straying offside. “Just practicing your final third balls, when to run so you are not offside,” Frimpong explained, pointing to the granular detail that shaped his development.
The comments carry wider significance given the ongoing speculation linking Alonso with a managerial move to Liverpool. Current Reds head coach Arne Slot has faced a difficult period, and according to reports, Alonso’s name has resurfaced as a potential successor should the club opt for a change in direction. Alonso himself previously rejected Liverpool’s advances before eventually leaving Leverkusen for Real Madrid, where he has encountered his own challenges.
Alonso’s tenure at Bayer Leverkusen remains one of the most celebrated chapters in recent Bundesliga history. Under his management, the club claimed their first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023-24 season, completing an unbeaten league campaign — a feat unprecedented in German top-flight football. Boniface was a key contributor to that title-winning side, while Frimpong established himself as one of Europe’s most dynamic right-backs during the same period.
Frimpong’s endorsement adds to a growing body of testimony from former Leverkusen players who have spoken positively about Alonso’s methods, further cementing the 43-year-old’s reputation as one of the most promising managerial talents in European football. Whether those qualities will eventually be tested at Anfield remains to be seen, but the Dutchman’s remarks will do little to dampen the speculation surrounding Liverpool’s long-term planning.
