'Brilliant manager' – Bayer Leverkusen forward Tella confident Alonso will thrive at Real Madrid

Nigeria international Nathan Tella has thrown his full support behind Xabi Alonso, backing the Spaniard to thrive at Real Madrid and surpass the legacy he built at Bayer Leverkusen.

Alonso, 43, joined the La Liga giants on a three-year deal after a historic stint with Leverkusen, where he guided the club to its first-ever Bundesliga title in the 2023–24 season. 

Under his leadership, Leverkusen also reached the UEFA Europa League final, lifted the German Cup, and claimed the DFL-Supercup—completing an unprecedented domestic treble.

Tella, who joined the German side from Southampton, credited Alonso for his growth as a player and praised the coach’s tactical intelligence and ability to inspire his squad.

"Obviously, Alonso is a brilliant manager—there's no surprise,” Tella told Flashscore. 

"To have him as our manager, he was able to bring a different side to the game. 

"I was able to see the game from a different point of view. He’s arguably been the best manager in the past two years.”

Tella insisted that Alonso will not only cope with the pressures of managing Real Madrid but also flourish.

"I wouldn't say that he's going to struggle. If anything, I think he'll get even better than how he was with us."

After less than two weeks at the Santiago Bernabéu, Alonso led Real Madrid to the United States for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, where Los Blancos reached the semi-finals before suffering a 4-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.

Bayer Leverkusen secured a second-place Bundesliga finish last season, earning a place in the upcoming UEFA Champions League campaign.

The Nigerian winger is optimistic under new manager Erik ten Hag. 

"We understand what it takes to reach the top eight and avoid early knockout rounds. It’s about maturity, having a killer mentality, and staying consistent."

Tella and his teammates will begin their pre-season preparations on Friday with a friendly against Flamengo’s U20 side at the Estadio da Gávea in Brazil, as they set sights on a strong European campaign.

Wale Adejumo

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