Former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso has agreed to become manager of Borussia Monchengladbach in June.
That's according to the Guardian, who say that the ex- Reds, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich star is set to take over from Marco Rose, who is on his way to Borussia Dortmund.
Alonso is currently the manager of Real Sociedad's B team but is on his way back to Germany this summer, it seems.
The former Spain international represented Liverpool over 200 times during a five-year spell at Anfield - and became one of the club's best midfielders in the modern era.
His intelligence on the pitch always suggested that one day he would look to become a coach, and that's exactly what's happened.
Numerous key figures in football, including some Liverpool legends, have already had their say on Alonso potentially becoming a manager - and here are a selection of the best quotes.
Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (Bayern Munich chairman)
The Bayern chairman offered an insight back in 2019 into the footballing intelligence Alonso possesses, and also suggested he could move back to the Allianz Arena one day.
"I think we have to make an effort to bring Xabi Alonso back to Bayern at some point," Rummenigge said.
"He is the best central midfielder we’ve had in recent years.
"He wasn’t the quickest, but he was the best strategically and the most intelligent I’ve ever seen in our midfield.
"He was a marvellous player, who speaks four languages and German fluently.
"He was a real personality. I’d really like him to return to Bayern one day, he’s a true gentleman."
Pep Guardiola
Guardiola and Alonso won two Bundesliga titles together during their time at Bayern Munich.
The now Manchester City boss made a brave prediction when the Spanish midfielder retired from football in 2017.
Guardiola said: "He will come back soon as a manager. I bet, wherever he wants, he will become a manager and will be good.
"He understands the game and has curiosity to understand the game. He knew during the weeks what we would have to do to win the next games, to beat them. He already had the curiosity to know."
Steven Gerrard
Gerrard and Alonso formed an incredible partnership in Liverpool's midfield between 2004 and 2009.
The former Reds captain, now Rangers boss, has always spoke very highly of his former team-mate and did so in 2016.
At the time, Gerrard said: "If, totally hypothetically, I was going to become Liverpool manager one day I know who I'd love to have as my assistant: Xabi Alonso or Jamie Carragher.
"They are very intelligent, have a deep knowledge of football and are special men. If I had smart people around me, and the right coaching team behind me, I like to think I could succeed as a manager."
Jamie Carragher
Carragher once predicted that Alonso will one day go onto become Liverpool manager.
Now that remains to be seen, but the Spaniard has certainly taken a step in the right direction.
"Great guy, loves football, one of the best," Carragher said on Alonso.
"I speak to him, exchange texts. He’s going to be a coach, he will be a great manager I think. People always talk about Stevie at Liverpool, and the way he’s going at Rangers, it’s inevitable.
"I think there is a chance that Xabi Alonso can become the manager of Liverpool in the future."
Carlo Ancelotti
Ancelotti was in charge at Bayern when Alonso retired from football in 2017 and the Everton manager spoke very highly of his chances of becoming a top manager.
"He wants to go on vacation, but he has the qualities and the experience to become a fantastic coach in the future," the Italian coach said.
Jose Mourinho
Mourinho, who was in charge of Alonso at Real Madrid from 2010 until 2014, also predicted a move into management for the former Liverpool midfielder.
"The end of one career and the beginning of another. With the same success with the same dignity. Football needs men," Mourinho said when Alonso announced his retirement.
Mikel Arteta
In 2020, Arsenal manager Arteta - who is close friends with Alonso - explained how he always knew his former Real Sociedad team-mate would become a coach.
Asked on the Gunners' official Twitter account which one of his ex-colleagues would be most likely to take up football management, the Spaniard said: "There were a few.
"Xabi Alonso, when we used to play together, I knew that one day he would become a coach.
"He is coaching now at the second team at Real Sociedad and he will be a really good coach in the future, I'm sure."
Stephen Warnock
Warnock played with Alonso during his Liverpool days and the former full-back opened up on how the former Spain midfielder always showed signs of becoming a coach during his playing days.
"A huge thinker of the game, a very tactical thinker of the game," Warnock said on Sky Sports News.
"Huge talker in the dressing room to all the players about the game.
"When he retired, straight away he wanted to go into coaching, so it tells you a little bit about him."
