Liverpool is searching for a new manager and Xabi Alonso would appear to be the best target. But the Spaniard is not the only option available for FSG to pick.
In the midst of a seismic shift in football management, Xabi Alonso, the former midfield maestro, has surfaced as a potential successor to Jürgen Klopp at Liverpool. Klopp’s recent revelation of his intent to step down from his Anfield role at season’s end has catalyzed speculation about his replacement, with Alonso’s name frequently popping up.
Alonso, currently at the helm of Bayer Leverkusen in Germany, has been making waves with his impressive job so far. His accomplishments with the club have not gone unnoticed by Liverpool’s top brass, who are currently undergoing the extensive process of identifying a top candidate for the vacancy.
While there is no official clause that means Alonso can be bought out of his Leverkusen contract, there is an understanding that the German side would let him leave if he pushed to go. His success in guiding Leverkusen to the apex of the Bundesliga has piqued the interest of Bayern Munich’s executives, according to The Times, with the Bundesliga giant grappling with mounting pressure on its current coach, Thomas Tuchel.
Guillem Balague, a Spanish football pundit, suggests that Alonso had his sights set on managing three of his former clubs — Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. He also hinted at Manchester City and a potential return to Real Sociedad in Spain. Balague shared these insights on the BBC’s The Football News Show, shedding light on Alonso’s career aspirations.
“I’ll tell you a little secret,” Balague said. “When he went to Bayer Leverkusen, he told his agent ‘Do you know what, I am thinking that if it doesn’t go well at Bayer Leverkusen, I’ll go back to Real Sociedad. But if it goes well, from here, it’s Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich.’ Let me add Manchester City to the equation and that’s where Xabi Alonso could go next. When, is a different matter.”
Alonso had an illustrious playing career spanning several years with each of these clubs. After five fruitful years at Liverpool, he moved to Real Madrid before heading to Bayern Munich in 2014. Here, he added three more league titles to his already impressive tally before retiring from professional football.
Since hanging up his boots, Alonso has embarked on a promising managerial journey. When asked about possible future moves earlier this year, he responded: “At the moment, I am really happy here and enjoying my work here. I feel I am in a great place and I am enjoying it. It is the right place. That is all I can say. What is going to happen in the future? I don’t know. And I don’t really care at the moment.”
