Real Madrid want to take former midfielder Xabi Alonso back to the Bernabeu as coach – and that would deliver a huge blow to the succession plans of both Liverpool and Manchester City.
Alonso is building a reputation as one of the best young managers in football at Bayer Leverkusen, who are setting the pace at the top of the Bundesliga with a 12-game unbeaten start to the season. But Madrid have earmarked the Spaniard as the ideal candidate to replace Carlo Ancelotti next season. And both Liverpool and City have also been keeping tabs on Alonso’s progress in Germany as they look to identify long-term successors for Jurgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola respectively.
Alonso turned down the chance to join Guardiola’s backroom staff three years ago. And after spending five seasons at Anfield during a playing career that also saw him play for Real Sociedad, Real and Bayern Munich, the Merseysiders would be a huge attraction for the 42-year-old.
Tottenham failed with a bid to lure Alonso back to the Premier League in the summer. The London club were rejected by Alonso and Feyenoord’s Arne Slot before appointing Ange Postecoglu. Alonso does not have a clause in his contract that would allow him to join one of his former clubs, but has given Leverkusen assurances that he has no plans to leave mid-way through a season. His deal has another two-and-a-half years to run.
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Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga, failing to win just one game “We got his commitment a few weeks ago when he extended his contract,” Rolfes declared. “Xabi doesn’t have to say anything. He has extended his contract. He’s fully focused here.”
Alonso also seems relaxed, saying in September: “Both the players and I know how football works, it’s not a problem for anyone, and we have not talked about it.”
Leverkusen have a huge game on Sunday, as they host Borussia Dortmund. Bayern Munich’s match at home to Union Berlin on Saturday was called off due to adverse weather conditions, so it’s a chance of Alonso and co to move five points clear at the top.
Xabi Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen are top of the Bundesliga, failing to win just one game.
Leverkusen have won 17 and drawn one of their 18 games in all competitions this season, scoring 62 goals and conceding just 14. Alonso signed a contract extension in August which keeps him at the Bay Arena until the summer of 2026, and Leverkusen chief Simon Rolfes has since responded to hot-button speculation surrounding the Spaniard’s future.
