Before the match against Leverkusen: Rummenigge and Alonso singing their praises

Munich – If Bayern Munich on Sunday (5.30pm, DAZN and im A to Z Live Tape) meets Leverkusen, there is a meeting with an old acquaintance: Xabi Alonso.

The 41-year-old played for the German record champions from 2014 to 2017 and is now the head coach of Virkself. Before the match there was a lot of praise from Karl-Heinz Rummenigge for his past successes.

Rummenigge and Hoeneß considered bringing Alonso to Munich as an assistant coach

Leverkusen gave Xavi this chance and it seems it was the right decision, said the former Bayern CEO before the duel in the interview “Münchner Merkur / tz”: “You get better and better.”

Werkself is under the world and European champion At the top he has five wins and one draw from his last six matches. With his decision to become a coach, Rummenigge’s wish came true. Already after the end of Alonso’s career at Bayern he and Uli Hoeness He is considering bringing him to Munich as an assistant coach. With the commitment at Bayer, Rummenigge now sees a good first step into professional football.

The 67-year-old doesn’t only appreciate the former midfield strategist on the pitch: “I always loved him as a man. He was a gentleman footballer on the pitch – but also in everyday life.” With all the praise, could the Basque’s path finally lead to the Bayern Munich coaching bench? “I am convinced he will go his own way as a coach, just as he did as a player,” Rummenigge said meaningfully.

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Alonso with special praise for Joshua Kimmich: “I love the way he plays”

Alonso himself is looking forward to the match against his former club. “I have great memories of my time in Munich,” the Spanish coach said in an interview on Bayern’s website. “It would be great to see old friends and acquaintances again.” Above all, there was special praise for the midfield strategists Joshua Kimmich: “He has developed well. His passing is special, as well as his intelligence. I like the way he plays.”

Alonso hasn’t been surprised by the 28-year-old’s strong development in recent years. “When I first saw Joshua, I knew he had a great future just because of the way he plays, his character and his personality,” said the 41-year-old. Alonso played with Kimmich at FC Bayern between 2014 and 2017 and won the German championship three times and once German Federation Cup.