Xabi Alonso's brief stint in Real Madrid has ended but the Spaniard's stock remains high and several Premier League clubs could be tempted by the out-of-work coach
Xabi Alonso's time at Real Madrid was short lived
Xabi Alonso's time at Real Madrid was short lived(Image: Dennis Agyeman/Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Xabi Alonso lasted just seven months at Real Madrid but was far from disgraced by his dismissal - and his availability will cast a shadow over several Premier League jobs.
The Spaniard saw his stock go through the roof when he completed the double in Germany with Bayer Leverkusen, becoming the first team to thwart Bayern Munich since 2012. He lost just one game all season - that defeat coming in the Europa League final.
Alonso's rapid rise would see him take charge at Los Blancos - one of his former teams - 12 months later, but his methods and character never fitted at the Bernabeu. So much so that, after the weekend's Spanish Super Cup defeat, he was moved on after a challenging spell.
His desire to coach new ideas into the team were not universally accepted and, despite proving he could work wonders at Leverkusen, he didn't get the chance to do so in the Spanish capital. Leaving Real is no hammer blow however, plenty of managers have achieved big things following the role.
Alonso himself was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League during his spell in Germany. It is understood that he was always keen to take charge of one of his former sides, leading to major Liverpool links when Jurgen Klopp announced his exit.
A move to Anfield never materialised but Alonso, a man whose career saw him work under Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti, is a man with an excellent education and one who will have a long time as a manager should he want it as several doors threaten to open.
Man Utd
The biggest job, arguably in the world, that currently has a vacancy. An interim will be hired until the end of the season, at which point the Old Trafford will look for their next new dawn.
Alonso being out of work makes him hugely attractive given the lack of compensation package required. The hurdle for those in Manchester will be whether a man who is idolised in Liverpool, would want to burn those bridges.
Xabi Alonso performed wonders at Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso performed wonders at Bayer Leverkusen(Image: )
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He has shown he can work impressively with lesser resources. The side he took over in Leverkusen were hardly seen as champions in waiting and he may welcome the fact United want to try and start a fresh.
Liverpool
Slot got the nod over Alonso in 2024 and he will hope that he doesn't face a poor run of results again because talk of an Alonso return will gather volume in the Kop. Part of the 2005 Champions League winning side, he is perhaps the best manager from that generation of players.
The Reds have resisted nostalgic appointments, hence why there's never been a serious attempt to go after Steven Gerrard, but Alonso has pedigree and the affection of the fans. Slot looks to have got this season back on track, but there's still questions over how Liverpool look long-term after a summer of recruitment that can by no means be cast as a success. One subplot is the £116m they spent on Florian Wirtz - a man who played his best football under Alonso.
Xabi Alonso worked under Pep Guardiola as a player
Xabi Alonso worked under Pep Guardiola as a player(Image: Photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)
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Man City
Life after Guardiola is something the City bosses are having to consider more and more as the Catalan's tenure draws to a close. The likelihood is that he sees out his contract, which gives him another 18 months in the job. But with Alonso a man on the market you wonder whether the club may see it in their best interests to act, albeit that's unlikely.
If Alonso wants to add to his trophy cabinet then few clubs are better set up and Guardiola continues to build an impressive squad to handover. The club have an appetite for coaches who want to coach, not just manage, and that would equally suit Alonso. It is understood Enzo Maresca spoke to them about the job in the future before his Chelsea sacking, so its more than possible that a call could be put into the former Real boss.
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