Jürgen Klinsmann, the worst manager in South Korean soccer history, has praised the rise of Bayer Leverkusen under Xabi Alonso.
Klinsmann was interviewed by Sky Sports in the UK on Wednesday (Jan. 21) and discussed Alonso's Leverkusen. Alonso took over at the helm of Leverkusen after the club slipped to the relegation zone at the start of last season, and in the space of a year and a half, he's put together an epic storyline.
The team knocked off Bayern Munich, who had dominated the German Bundesliga for 11 years, to win the first league title in the club's history. Bayern won the league unbeaten, something that had never been done before. Bayern are just two games away from an unprecedented record in UEFA history. To win the title without losing in all competitions in a single season, including European competition.
Reflecting on Leverkusen's season, Klinsmann said, “I think it's been a Bundesliga season that no one expected. Everyone has been positively surprised by this run, led by Leverkusen and Alonso's team, and I don't think their journey will ever end. It was a breath of fresh air for Germany, the Bundesliga, and all soccer fans. Bayern has been winning the Bundesliga for over a decade. It's time for someone to make a change in the Bundesliga,” he said, giving a thumbs-up.
Klinsmann praised Alonso's Leverkusen, but couldn't quite explain what made them so special that they leapfrogged Bayern to become the best team in Germany. “Leverkusen played in a fantastic way, with an attacking 토토사이트 style and full of energy that won over all fans. Maybe not the Bayern Munich fans, but everyone else was rooting for Leverkusen,” he said in a statement that anyone could have made.
Rather than analyzing the team, Klinsmann's comments are more about the man himself. He praises the work of current Leverkusen president Rudi Feller in laying the foundation for the club, and praises Alonso's communication skills. “Leverkusen are very lucky to have Alonso and how he has connected so well with the club. He's a very young coach and he seems to have a perfect connection with the players,” Klinsmann said, emphasizing his communication skills.
Klinsmann insists that Leverkusen's momentum will not fade next season. “You can't expect to go unbeaten for another year and win the title again. But they will definitely have the ability to play Bayern again and challenge them,” he added.
He also predicts that Bayern will be active in the transfer market next season in order to take on Leverkusen. “You can definitely expect Bayern to go back to the transfer market. They will add some pieces to their squad to catch Leverkusen now, because they are angry,” he said.
It was an interview full of one-sided answers, just like when he was in charge in South Korea.
