Real Madrid legend backs Xabi Alonso for success – ‘Has a very clear vision’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid icon Michel Salgado, who took part in Saturday’s Legends match between the Merengues and Borussia Dortmund, spoke about Xabi Alonso’s arrival as the new manager of the Spanish club.

Salgado, who spent ten years at the Santiago Bernabeu as a player between 1999 and 2009, believes that Alonso has the right tools to achieve success with the record European champions.

“I have played with Alonso in the national team, I know him personally, in fact we did our coaching licence together,” said Salgado, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.

“He seems to me to be a coach with a spectacular personality, who will undoubtedly do things well at Madrid, he knows the club and has a very clear vision of football and what he wants, and that makes things easier.”

The former full-back also emphasised the need for Madrid fans to appreciate the legacy of Carlo Ancelotti.

“[They have to] value what Carlo Ancelotti has done. The fact that he is leaving is something to be valued by everyone. He is one of the best coaches in the history of Real Madrid, and we have to thank him,” said Salgado.

Real Madrid’s new manager. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Speaking about the right-back position, where new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dani Carvajal will compete for a starting role, Salgado shared his view, saying:

“I like them, they are completely different full-backs, this season we have suffered a lot there, but I don’t think there is anyone more balanced than Carvajal as a full-back on the market.”

Continuing, he added: “Trent is different, offensively better than defensively, we all know that, but the combination of the two is perhaps the best right-back on the market.”

However, Salgado does not believe the starting spot is decided, as he said: “Carvajal is going to give a fight. If people think that it’s going to be easy for the boy (Alexander-Arnold) to come and play….

“Alexander-Arnold can play in more positions depending on the system, looking for balance you can combine the two.”