Quotes from Xabi Alonso

People in Liverpool are very welcoming.

I've said a few times the Bundesliga is closer to the Premier League than the Liga.

Managing Liverpool? Yes, for sure, I have dreamt of that, but first I have to prove myself and prepare.

When the results are good, everything seems prettier; when things go bad, it seems like all conflicts, personal disputes, and problems arise.

I feel very comfortable with the system used by Mourinho. It's a very dynamic 4-2-3-1 that can easily change to 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 depending on the moment or the team's needs. He really knows what he wants.

I came from my hometown team, Real Sociedad, to the best team in England, to the best team in Spain, to the best team in Germany.

You need to have the same ideas to work as a team, to have a good team spirit. And you don't get there in a day or even a month. It takes some time to get there.

The grass, the sound of the ball, the jokes with my teammates - that's what I will miss most. That is what fulfills you most on a daily basis.

The Bundesliga is much quicker; it's more physical than the Liga, which is more technical.

I have been progressing throughout my career, which is a very good sign.

It is a fact for any footballer - you can be really happy, but if the club don't want you, you have to accept it.

I'm very satisfied to close my time as footballer.

Being a manager is so different to being a footballer. It's a very difficult job, but, of course, it's very exciting as well.

Passion? Of course it's necessary, but it's more important to have footballing foundations, certainly, when developing players.

If you have control of the midfield, you have control of the game, and you have more chances to win.

Cristiano has unique qualities, brings danger in one-on-one situations, and has the ability to score and find something different.

In England, those qualities of playing it simple, being in the right position, reading the game, knowing the right moment to make things happen around you are not appreciated. Making a tackle, a run into the box - the spectacular things are more appreciated.

Real Madrid is a big club, and like at any other big club, too, there are always critics after defeats.

It is difficult to copy Real Madrid, as not every team has those players who can run with such explosion, like Ronaldo.

My family have absolutely no problem about me playing for Real Madrid. They have become Real Madrid fans.

I have been lucky enough to be at great clubs, from my hometown club to Liverpool to Real Madrid to Bayern Munich.

Mesut is one of those unique players you see every once in a while. He has the gift of a perfect touch in tight spaces that makes him special.

The midfielders are important: they have to offer themselves to receive the ball and make good use of it, take choices, try not to lose the ball and defend. But I don't feel like a leader at all.

I wanted to end my career still at the highest level, and Bayern is the highest level.