Jose sees coaching ability in Alonso

Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho's one wish for Xabi Alonso on his birthday? For them to be coaching rivals one day.

Mourinho says Alonso, who turned 30 on Friday, has the ability to be a top coach as he is "an important player on and off the field" for Spanish league leader Madrid. The Spanish team hasn't won the league since 2008.

Mourinho says the Spain midfielder is a "well-balanced man, someone who knows about international football" and "I jokingly told him that as I'm going to coach another 30 years, we'll see each other there."

Alonso has been one of Mourinho's regulars since the Portuguese coach took over in 2010, with the former Liverpool and Real Sociedad playmaker helping the Spanish giant win the Copa del Rey title last season.