Topic: Xabi Alonso

[liverpoolfc73]

Mods feel free to move this where appropriate:


ALONSO ON LIVERPOOL...
"It was a tough call and a very difficult decision for me to leave Liverpool. During my five years I was lucky enough to experience some magical nights at Anfield, to experience the support of the best fans in the world. I will always have them in my mind."

ALONSO ON BENITEZ...
"There have been a lot of rumours but as I've said before, it was a professional relationship. I have always tried to do what he asked me to do on the pitch. When the birth of my child happened, I had to take a decision to be with my family because it was an important moment. Last summer when the club proposed that I had to be sold to buy new players it was a difficult moment, but I accepted it as a professional. That moment changed my mind, from that moment it was time for a change.

[mariov77]

Source?

[trigger]

Mods feel free to move this where appropriate:

General football and sport

[evenflow]

Source?

was on this evening sky sports this evening

[alex.]

Was on Revista de La Liga earlier

[JamesG L4]

Mods feel free to move this where appropriate:


ALONSO ON LIVERPOOL...
"It was a tough call and a very difficult decision for me to leave Liverpool. During my five years I was lucky enough to experience some magical nights at Anfield, to experience the support of the best fans in the world. I will always have them in my mind."

ALONSO ON BENITEZ...
"There have been a lot of rumours but as I've said before, it was a professional relationship. I have always tried to do what he asked me to do on the pitch. When the birth of my child happened, I had to take a decision to be with my family because it was an important moment. Last summer when the club proposed that I had to be sold to buy new players it was a difficult moment, but I accepted it as a professional. That moment changed my mind, from that moment it was time for a change.

A gentlemen. You cannot argue with a single word.

[DangerScouse]

That is precisely why i have no ill-feeling towards Xabi, don't blame him one bit for wanting to move. Not having at go at Rafa either btw.

[liverpoolfc73]

Source: La Liga Revista -

He talks about Kaka, Ronaldo and the confidence Real madrid showed in him by spending that much money.

A true Professional, I think he called it like he saw it - the club put him up for sale and any half decent professional would have seen that has a sign to move on....glad he he mentions the Anfield faithful.

Xabi Alonso, we will miss you...!!1

[Twelfth Man]

Saw the interview, feel gutted every time I see him on telly particularly wearing those fascists shirt. It is true Rafa and the whole Juve/Barry thing was very underhand as was him not being allowed to see his baby being born. But I always hoped that our love for him would somehow win the day. No offense to Gerro/Carra but I think for me he was more Liverpool than any other player in the team.

[Red_Rich]

So, it DOES come down to bad man-management afterall.

[Lush is the best medicine...]

it was pretty interesting how his tone changed when the conversation switched from kaka to ronaldo

[Ecuared]

So the truth comes out at last. Fair enough I guess. Still wish he would have stayed one last year, but what can you do? If I was in a job and wanted to move elsewhere I would do so so I can{t really blame him.

[MidwestWool]

it was pretty interesting how his tone changed when the conversation switched from kaka to ronaldo

Did he froth at his mouth and called Ronaldo a cheating c*nt?

Anyways, true professional and I wish him the best.

[liverpoolfc73]

If you put yourself in his shoes, whatever form of employment you are in and you realize that your employer is looking for a replacement for you while you are still employed and you have given it your best for the past 4 years, i bet everyone would feel insecure and would want to protect their own interest and that of their young family (if they had one).

Xabi Alonso - you walk tall !!

I hope you get a rapturous welcome if and when you come back to Anfield. The Lazio pre-season friendly last year, told you all you need to know about how we felt about you.

[Red_Rich]

If I was in a job and wanted to move elsewhere I would do so so I can{t really blame him.

But the simple truth is ... if he hadn't been touted around by Rafa and the club last year, he would probably have still been with us now.

This is not a Ronalso situation here, in fact it's almost the complete opposite.

[The Nihilists]

So, it DOES come down to bad man-management afterall.

Maybe.

But it was right on the eve of a massive game, and Rafa is paid to get results. A difficult situation, maybe not handled the best.

But as for going after Barry, Alonso had lost his edge, and he only found it again after that.

So - good man-management as well. Within a year, the player was worth £30m. It backfired in that we still need him, but had we won the title on the back of Xabi's form last season, it'd be labelled genius.

[west_london_red]

Cany argue with that, he knows the fans loved him (who will forget that saved penalty???)

As for his relationship with Rafa, again I cant fault him. I love Rafa as much as anyone and am a firm Rafaista but he cocked up there big time. I expect every player to be ready to die for the cause and show total commitment to the club and its fans, but I couldnt knock a man wanting to be at the birth of his child, footballer or otherwise.

And Rafa made it clear he wanted to sell Xabi last year, and when a manager demonstrates a lack of belief in your ability (justified or not) most of us would walk if an employer of equal stature comes knocking, again footballer or otherwise.

[Scribble8]

Can't understand we wanted to sell him last summer and bring in Barry, and then fail with that. After that Alonso made a fantastic season due to the dissapointment from the boarding and Rafa, what a PROFESSIONAL. I loveed him here at Liverpool and I will love to see him rule Spain.

[MHLC]

But the simple truth is ... if he hadn't been touted around by Rafa and the club last year, he would probably have still been with us now.

This is not a Ronalso situation here, in fact it's almost the complete opposite.

How can a "probably" be a truth?

Move on mate. Alonso plays for Madrid.

[liverpoolfc73]

I am 100% behind Rafa and am completely convinced of the current crop of managers out there available or not, he is the one to bring back our glory days, however having said that, it doesnt make Rafa immune from mistakes. Like all managers, Rafa has had some clangers, and his man--management of Alonso (either forced or voluntary) was one of his poorest decisions. Even last summer, when Rafa came out in the media to reaffirm his committment to players like Benayoun and Kuyt, he failed to come out and put his arms around Alonso. The Barry deal never happened and we were better off for it.  Like all of us, Alonso is a down to earth simple human being at the end of the day, he needed to feel wanted and needed to feel that the manager and club had confidence in his abilities.

Unfortunately, he had to move on. Credit to Rafa for being able to realize a significant gain on his sale, but what good are those funds if the Yanks use them to retire debt obligations. Till Aquilani is fit and available, we have a $30mil gaiping hole in the middle. If you listen to his interview, Alonso talks about how Real Madrid plan on using him i.e linking the defence with the offence...exactly what we are missing now....

Xabi Alonso !!
Xabi Alonso !!
Xabi Alonso !!
Xabi Alonso !!

Admittedly players who hand in transfer requests are'nt remembered too fondly, but in this case, I hope the Anfield faithful make an exception. He was an Anfield Legend

[k4bir]

fuckin still gutted about this,never really bothered that much with past [layers lkeaving but this one bugs me still

[Lush is the best medicine...]

Did he froth at his mouth and called Ronaldo a cheating c*nt?

sounded a bit like he was talking through gritted teeth when speaking about him

[bullfrog]

After three poor years rafa decided it was time for a replacement. It was only then, when Xabi says in his own words he decided it was time to move on following which he upped his game to the level expected. He was clearly stagnating at Liverpool and while we will never know why it's certain that what has transpired is best all round.

Players come and go, it's well past the time you all moved on.

[nyctex]

a professional in his relationship with the club and Rafa, but he definitely held the supporters higher than that.

Can't hate on Xabi.

[Tom_B]

but he definitely held the supporters higher than that.

So much so that he didn't tell the fans he wanted to go until a week before the season started.

[liverpoolfc73]

So much so that he didn't tell the fans he wanted to go until a week before the season started.

I dont think he has an obligation to tell the fans anything. He didnt want to go last year - he was being flogged around by the club. Why would he come out and categorically state that he wanted to go, especially since no deal was on the table till then...

[alex.]

I think Rafa, the fans and the club deserved at least one more season of loyalty from him especially considering how close we came last season

[BazC]

He still calls us the best fans in the world. He may be an ultra professional, but there's no arguing with that whiff of emotion laced in that statement.

So much so that he didn't tell the fans he wanted to go until a week before the season started.

He told Rafa 2-3 months before- ie, the people who needed to know, knew in plenty of time.

[DangerScouse]

After three poor years rafa decided it was time for a replacement.

That is complete horseshit!

[12Kings]

It was also the moment he realized he would have to play his best football to go where he really wanted to move to.

Bah, you can't help being bitter about it, but I suppose he had to act out his revenge after what happened last summer, but it brought the best out of him. I did a similar thing a few months ago, not that I'm a professional footballer, but I was treated in the same minor by former employee's and moved on to greener pastures leaving them in the shit. It's harsh, but there's a point of no going back, and I get that.

[Tom_B]

He told Rafa 2-3 months before- ie, the people who needed to know, knew in plenty of time.

Who told you that?

[beardsley4ever]

I think what is so painful about it all is that Xabi embodied (for me anyway) what Liverpool Football Club is all about.  Almost more than Carra or Stevie.  I know that sounds crazy, but Xabi had the understated class that only a true fan of football would appreciate to its fullest - not of its glitz and MOTD highlights, but of the perfect pass, the simple tackle, the quiet leadership, and the perfect setting of tempo.  And in that sense, he was a player that we felt we appreciated more than your average Engerland fan ever would.  And it was that that makes his departure hurt so much.

Hmm, drinking before posting is a bad idea.  Off to get another bevvie.

[Helsinki Red]

Come back Xabi.

[beardsley4ever]

Who told you that?

Urr, Rafa when he said that he knew Xabi was leaving in May this year?

[SMD]

"It was a tough call and a very difficult decision for me to leave Liverpool. During my five years I was lucky enough to experience some magical nights at Anfield, to experience the support of the best fans in the world. I will always have them in my mind."

Then why had you made your mind up before the season had finished? Why wouldn't you stay one more season when we needed stability to go for the league?

Last summer when the club proposed that I had to be sold to buy new players it was a difficult moment, but I accepted it as a professional. That moment changed my mind, from that moment it was time for a change.

If he'd had the season he had in his last year with us then, we wouldn't have tried to sell him or shake up the system as we did.

As much as it will be debated as to how good Xabi was in his two 'crap' seasons (for lack of a better term), it's clear that last season was his best since he first joined us.
It hurts and sickens me that he's essentially saying that he upped his game to get a transfer. He decided a year ago to move? Xabi, I thought better of you.

[BazC]

Who told you that?

Rafa said in an interview that Alonso had told him in May that he wanted to leave. It was just the price war which meant the deal was done so late.

Personally, I'd have set a date before the Asia tour at the latest, told Real to put up or shut up by then (they were obviously willing to pay £30m in the end so they'd have done it earlier) and if the deadline was elapsed, Alonso would stay.

[Twelfth Man]

Who told you that?

He intimated as much in an interview soon after he joined the fascists. He said his mind was made up a few months before the end of last season. I think he would have let Rafa know well in advance his plans, hence the protracted transfer, with Rafa genuinely trying to keep him and also get the most for him and the immediate signing of Aquilani.

[liverpoolfc73]

Who told you that?

Rafa in his press conference when introducing Aquilani saying that Alonso had made up his mind in April/May of this year

[Lush is the best medicine...]

I think Rafa, the fans and the club deserved at least one more season of loyalty from him especially considering how close we came last season

even though it now appears that rafa wanted to sell him?

[Twelfth Man]

As much as it will be debated as to how good Xabi was in his two 'crap' seasons (for lack of a better term), it's clear that last season was his best since he first joined us.
It hurts and sickens me that he's essentially saying that he upped his game to get a transfer. He decided a year ago to move? Xabi, I thought better of you.

Don't remember any crap seasons from Xabi, I remember crap seasons for Liverpool as a team but his performance for me was always above par.