When league leaders Bayer Leverkusen visit Werder Bremen on Saturday, coach Xabi Alonso wants his players to follow in his footsteps by embracing their on-field inventiveness and intelligence.
Alonso has masterminded a dramatic turnaround at Leverkusen, moving them from the relegation zone last year to the top of the table in what is turning out to be an improbable Bundesliga title run.
"If they decide something wrongly, we will try to make it better, but I try to push them to see that they have their creativity on the pitch," the 41-year-old said.
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Leverkusen has the best start in Bundesliga history, having collected 31 of a possible 33 points in 11 games.
Leverkusen have produced some of Europe's most exciting football this season, winning 16 and drawing one of their 17 matches in all competitions.
However, while many have recognized Alonso as the tactical genius behind Leverkusen's amazing turnaround, the Basque has stated that finding the correct words to say at the appropriate time is critical.
A career spent almost entirely in the game's upper echelons afforded Alonso the opportunity to learn from some of the game's best coaches, all of whom influenced his management philosophy.
Xabi Alonso was raised by his father, former player and manager Periko Alonso, and has played for Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti, Jose Mourinho, and Vicente del Bosque.
Alonso saves special appreciation for Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, noting that "in terms of man management, Carlo Ancelotti is a master."
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