‘He trusted me a lot’ – Bayer Leverkusen star opens up on Real Madrid rumours and Xabi Alonso’s sacking | OneFootball

Alejandro Grimaldo addressed the speculation that linked him with Real Madrid, while also offering his thoughts on former manager Xabi Alonso and his future ambitions.

The Spanish full-back enjoyed some of the best football of his career under Alonso at Leverkusen, becoming one of the key figures in the German side’s rise. 

Their successful partnership naturally led to rumours that a reunion could take place elsewhere, particularly when Alonso returned to Real Madrid as a manager.

Now, Grimaldo has reflected on those rumours and explained how he viewed the possibility of working with the coach again.

On Alonso’s sacking

During an interview with AS, Grimaldo was asked about Alonso’s managerial journey and whether he was surprised by the way things unfolded at Real Madrid.

Grimaldo was surprised when Alonso was sacked. (Photo by Alexander Hassenstein/Getty Images)

The defender admitted he expected the former midfielder to succeed and remains convinced that Alonso has all the qualities needed to become one of football’s elite coaches.

“Yes, I was surprised. I was one of those who said he was going to be successful, and I still think he will be.

“Sooner or later, he’s going to be one of the best coaches in the world. I’ve been around him, I’ve worked with him, I know his mindset, his ideas about soccer, and I know he has an incredible future ahead of him.

“But the Madrid locker room… in the end, it’s all about results. Although I don’t think they were doing badly at the time he left the club. 

“But anyway, I don’t get involved in that.”

Signing for Real Madrid

The conversation then turned towards the transfer rumours that linked Grimaldo with Real Madrid when Alonso was in charge of Los Blancos.

Grimaldo was linked to Real Madrid. (Photo by Lars Baron/Getty Images)

The Leverkusen defender acknowledged the close relationship he built with the coach but admitted that a move never materialised.

“In the end, with Xabi, ever since he brought me to Leverkusen, we’ve been very close. We’ve had a lot of success together, and he trusted me a lot.

“I was thrilled to be with him, but in the end, when you go to a club like Madrid, well, I guess you can’t bring in every player you like.

“We had to go our separate ways, and he’s now at Chelsea. I wish him the best; he’ll have an incredible future,” he concluded.