Premier League legends laud Alonso ahead of UEL final

Xabi Alonso's impact at Leverkusen has been praised by Ashley Cole, Robert Pires, Diego Forlan and David James

Transcript

00:00 He's definitely a manager for the next generation to come.

00:05 For the manager, I think he's done a wonderful job.

00:12 To get a group of players that have not been that successful,

00:16 to now create that environment and culture, and I see it on the pitch,

00:20 that togetherness is tough.

00:22 So, testament to him, credit to the season we've had.

00:25 It's been immense and amazing.

00:27 Xabi Alonso is a new and younger manager.

00:31 He put a good tactic on the field.

00:34 He sent a good message for the players.

00:37 So, yeah, I think everything is OK for Leverkusen.

00:42 They won the title.

00:44 Tonight they will play the final Europa League against Atalanta.

00:48 So, for the moment, it's a great season for Leverkusen.

00:51 It's always nice when you have a player like Xabi Alonso,

00:54 that he played incredibly. He was a great player.

00:57 Everywhere he played.

00:59 And now he's doing that with a small team, with a small club.

01:03 I know Leverkusen is not that small in Germany,

01:08 but still, it's not like Munich or other clubs that have more history.

01:12 But, yeah, great. The team is playing really well.

01:16 They are undefeated.

01:18 Ultimately, he's currently in a record-breaking run, isn't he?

01:24 To win the Bundesliga in itself, I think, was an achievement.

01:29 But to do it unbeaten has been nothing short of incredible.

01:34 To be here in the Europa League final,

01:37 with an opportunity with two games to go for the whole season unbeaten.

01:41 Robert Perez is here, I think he's part of the Invincibles with Arsenal.

01:44 They didn't win everything.

01:46 (upbeat music)

01:48 (upbeat music)