Xabi Alonso was fired as Real Madrid coach on Monday, just a day after his side were defeated by Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup
Daniel Orme Trends Writer
07:36, 13 Jan 2026
Xabi Alonso
Xabi Alonso has been sacked by Real Madrid(Image: Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso has suggested he could one day return to Liverpool as the dismissed Real Madrid manager weighs up his next career move. The Spanish tactician was ruthlessly fired on Monday evening, merely 24 hours after Real's Spanish Super Cup loss to fierce rivals Barcelona.
His departure arrives just eight months after rejoining the Bernabeu from Bayer Leverkusen, where he had secured the Bundesliga title, the German Cup and the German Super Cup during a remarkable unbeaten campaign. He also guided the team to the Europa League final, though they fell short against Atalanta.
Prior to his return to Madrid, Alonso was heavily tipped for a switch to Liverpool, having previously enjoyed an illustrious playing career at Anfield.
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When questioned about the possibility of managing on Merseyside in years to come, Alonso refused to dismiss the idea entirely.
Speaking last month, he said: "Of course there is a bond with my former club, but for now this is my place. future, you never know what might happen."
Alonso was also touted as a potential successor following Jurgen Klopp's departure from the club. However, he made clear that such a move was never realistic.He added: "At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the players and we were really focused on that."
Current Liverpool manager Arne Slot has previously voiced his admiration for Alonso and clearly rates his abilities highly.
Xabi Alonso
Alonso has regularly been linked with a return to Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)
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.
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"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."