A player like Florian Wirtz must never make his career dependent on a trainer. What happens if Alonso suddenly loses eight games, whether in Leverkusen or at a top club? If he has to go or go on his own? Or if he suddenly has to change the way of playing?
Trainers disappear faster than you can say “goodbye”. And then the community of fate was blown up very quickly. Players who follow their coach risk the career snap. Especially at Real Madrid or Bayern Munich, the bank can quickly become a permanent condition when the next coach comes – with completely different plans.
Of course, Xabi Alonso Wirtz promoted and raised him to a top level. But the relationship between the two may not always be harmonious. Alonso left Wirtz several times on the bench and even stroked him out of the starting eleven because he came to the meeting point too late. Anyone who believes that Alonso would take Wirtz blindly anywhere could be wrong.
There are so many components that play a role in a change, from salary to the plans of a club to gut feeling. A century talent like Wirtz has to consider all influences, weigh up and then consistently go his own way – regardless of individuals. This is the only way to make the career in the long term that he really is entitled to.
And, honestly, can you remember a trainer player duo, which changed the club at the same time and then contested a successful era?