Kroos: Wirtz, Alonso to face challenges 'different from Leverkusen'
Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso (L) hugs Florian Wirtz after the German Bundesliga soccer match between FSV Mainz 05 and Bayer Leverkusen at Mewa Arena. Arne Dedert/dpa
Germany great Toni Kroos sees a bright future for Bayer Leverkusen playmaker Florian Wirtz and soon-to-be Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso – but the former world champion is urging restraint amid the growing hype surrounding both.
Speaking on the sidelines of his indoor Icon League event in Berlin on Sunday, Kroos said of Wirtz, "Basically, he is so good that he is capable of making his mark anywhere."
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Wirtz is reportedly considering a move to Liverpool, amid intense speculation about his next destination.
Bayern Munich had long been seen as the frontrunner, but that now appears unlikely. Instead, Premier League champions Liverpool appear to have nipped in for the 22-year-old, who could cost as much as €150 million ($171 million).
"It seemed obvious to everyone that he was going to Bayern. I didn't know that and, as usual, I didn't believe for the time being just because someone wrote it," Kroos said.
Kroos said that no matter where Wirtz ends up — whether at Bayern or Liverpool — it would be different from Leverkusen in any case.
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He also weighed in on Real Madrid's appointment of Xabi Alonso as head coach. Alonso, a former Madrid, Liverpool and Bayern Munich player, replaces Carlo Ancelotti, who will take over as coach of the Brazil national team.
"It seemed like the logical step to take now," Kroos said, with Alonso set to be presented as coach on Monday.
However, he remained cautious, saying he believes Alonso "can be a very good coach for Real," but added that his success will need to be judged over time. "Real is different from Leverkusen," he said.
The Spaniard will take charge from June 1, with the Club World Cup starting on June 14.
Kroos, 35, won the World Cup with Germany in 2014 and six Champions Leagues, the last one in his final game for Real in June 2024. His last career match was a few weeks later, Germany's quarter-final defeat against Spain at Euro 2024.
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