Xabi Alonso has been sacked as Real Madrid boss just eight months after his return, having also been linked with a stunning return to Liverpool
Xabi Alonso has left Real Madrid and previously addressed talk of a return to Liverpool.
Xabi Alonso has left Real Madrid and previously addressed talk of a return to Liverpool.(Image: )
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Xabi Alonso has suggested he could potentially return to Liverpool one day as the dismissed Real Madrid manager weighs up his options. The Spanish tactician was ruthlessly sacked on Monday night, merely 24 hours after Real's Spanish Super Cup loss to arch-enemies Barcelona.
A Real Madrid club statement read: "Real Madrid C. F. wishes to announce that, by mutual agreement between the club and Xabi Alonso, it has been decided to bring his time as first team coach to an end. Xabi Alonso will always carry the affection and admiration of all Madridistas because he is a Real Madrid legend and has always represented the values of our club. Real Madrid will always be his home.
"We would like to thank Xabi Alonso and all his coaching staff for their hard work and dedication throughout this time, and wish them the best of luck in this new stage of their lives."
His departure comes just eight months after he rejoined the Bernabeu from Bayer Leverkusen, where he had secured the Bundesliga crown, the German Cup and the German Super Cup in an impressive undefeated campaign. He also guided the team to the Europa League final, only to fall short against Atalanta.
Prior to his return to Madrid, Alonso was heavily tipped for a switch to Liverpool, having previously enjoyed an illustrious period at Anfield as a player.
When questioned about the possibility of managing on Merseyside down the line, Alonso didn't completely dismiss the idea. Speaking last month, he said: "Of course there is a bond with my former club, but for now this is my place. [In the] future, you never know what might happen."
Alonso was also touted for a move to Liverpool following Jurgen Klopp's departure from the club. However, he confirmed that was never a realistic possibility as Arne Slot took over.
He added: "At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the players and we were really focused on that."
Xabi Alonso during Real Madrid's Super Cup final loss to Barcelona
Xabi Alonso during Real Madrid's Super Cup final loss to Barcelona(Image: Fadel SENNA / AFP via Getty Images)
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Slot has previously expressed his views on Alonso and seems to hold the former midfielder in high regard. Speaking before a Champions League encounter between the Reds and Real Madrid earlier this season, the Dutchman said: "That he is special, that's clear."
"If you go to a club that was bottom of the league and with the same players you bring them all the way up without spending that much money in that summer, only bringing in one or two very good players, and they had the season [that they had].
"They only lost the final of the Europa League, it tells you that he is special. What it is that makes him special is difficult for me to say because I haven't faced him yet and I haven't worked with him.
"What might be the situation is that he's worked with very good managers in the past, he was a player with incredible insight in the game, he knew when to be where and he played at the highest levels so he knows and understands how these players feel in certain moments.
"That probably contributes to what makes him a good manager. How he is exactly so special? The best way to find that out is to talk to the players he has worked with and I haven't done that yet."