In the eyes of Lothar Matthäus, the new Leverkusen coach Xabi Alonso is a great asset to the Bundesliga. "The Bundesliga can look forward to a big one," said the Sky expert from the German Press Agency. "I'm convinced that Leverkusen wasn't the first offer he's received as head coach," said Matthäus. "But now he feels ready." Former world champion and Bayern star Alonso makes his debut as Bayer coach on Saturday (3:30 p.m. / Sky) against FC Schalke 04.

Matthäus has no doubts about his abilities as a coach. "Xabi Alonso has gained a lot of international experience as a player and has worked with great coaches," said the 1990 world champion: "As a player, he was a bit the coach's extended arm. The one who led the orchestra. He wasn't a speaker , but he was intelligent. He smelled the situation, he positioned the players on the field."

Matthäus does not see the fact that the 40-year-old has only coached the second team of Real Sociedad San Sebastian in the 3rd division as a problem. "I think it's good that he comes from the 3rd league at all. Others often go straight to the 1st league," he said: "I think the last few years have been a good apprenticeship for him. The experience he has has collected, also in the youth field, helps him tremendously to meet the expectations in Leverkusen."