Granit Xhaka has played under both Mikel Arteta at Arsenal and Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen, and the Swiss midfielder has given his verdict on the contrasting coaching styles of the two managers
Tom Victor
08:24, 18 May 2026
Xabi Alonso during his time at Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso will take over at Chelsea in July(Image: Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso will go head-to-head with fellow Spaniard Mikel Arteta in the upcoming Premier League campaign after accepting the Chelsea position.
Granit Xhaka finds himself in a unique situation, having featured under both managers and previously discussing the contrasts between them. Xhaka was instrumental in Arteta's FA Cup-winning side in 2020, playing the full 90 minutes in a triumph over Chelsea.
After seven years in London, he moved to join Liverpool icon Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen in 2023, securing a German domestic double in his debut season. Both Arteta and Alonso were in the formative phases of their managerial journeys when they managed the Swiss.
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Despite this similarity, a clear distinction emerged between the two, particularly in Alonso's greater readiness to adapt his tactical systems.
"Mikel has his philosophy and that's it," Xhaka explained to the PFA in 2024. "You know this always change the sides, the free man, let him jump for example."
He added: "Even to play always with a back four and never change to a back five, for example, or never change like a 4-4-2 with two proper strikers. So you had this 4-3-3, with one six and two eights.
Mikel Arteta is close to winning the Premier League and Champions League at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta is close to winning the Premier League and Champions League at Arsenal(Image: Getty Images)
"Xabi is a little bit different. I think that Xabi can play a back four, but he can play as well a back five... What he wants is always two number sixes, not running everywhere or more of the time be in the position.
"But I think that if you are a coach, you need your own philosophy, your own tactical, your own ideas. Of course, you can always change one or two [things], but you can't change so many things about it, you know?"
The Chelsea position will mark Alonso's debut in English soccer as a coach and his first managerial role since departing Real Madrid just months into his three-year deal at the Bernabeu.
He has put pen to paper on a four-year agreement with Chelsea, who had caretaker manager Calum McFarlane overseeing the team after Liam Rosenior's dismissal in April.
"Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in world football, and it fills me with immense pride to become manager of this great club," the incoming Blues boss declared after his appointment was announced.
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The 44-year-old has committed to a four-year contract at Stamford Bridge and will assume control in July.
"From my conversations with the ownership group and sporting leadership, it is clear we share the same ambition," Alonso continued. "We want to build a team capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies.
"There is great talent in the squad and huge potential at this football club, and it will be my great honor to lead it. Now the focus is on hard work, building the right culture, and winning trophies."