Xabi Alonso has already made his mind up on taking the Manchester United job
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 05: Xabi Alonso, Head Coach of Bayer 04 Leverkusen speaks to the media during the post match press conference following the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Liverpool FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Anfield on November 05, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Naomi Baker - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Xabi Alonso is now a free agent after leaving Real Madrid(Image: Naomi Baker - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
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Free agent Xabi Alonso already made his stance clear on taking the Manchester United job. The former Liverpool hero was dismissed from his post as Real Madrid boss on Monday, a day after his side lost 3-2 to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Alonso, 44, was only eight months into his role at the Spanish giants. His departure spells the availability of an individual who was the most coveted manager two summers ago.
Alongside Liverpool reportedly wanting their former star to replace Jurgen Klopp, Bayern Munich and Madrid were both interested in appointing him as their head coach. He opted to remain at Bayer Leverkusen for last season, with the Red Devils also told no by Alonso before deciding to hand Erik ten Hag a contract extension, according to The Mail.
The report lined up with a previous claim that indicated that the ex-Spain international would be reluctant to take the job at Old Trafford because of his long-standing ties to Liverpool.
Despite it being almost 17 years since Alonso left Anfield to join Madrid, he remains a fan favourite at Anfield and previously admitted that he remains close to the club he described as a "family."
When returning to Anfield in 2022 for a charity game, he told Liverpool's club website: "Once a Red, always a Red. It's not a logo, I think it's a reality. Not just my case, I think that most of us feel really close to the club.
"Wherever you are in the world, Liverpool fans remember you and they keep you closer to the club. That's the best thing of Liverpool. All the support and all the family that's around the world."
Bayer Leverkusen's Spanish head coach Xabi Alonso (C) congratulates Liverpool's Colombian midfielder #07 Luis Diaz at the end of the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen
Xabi Alonso was a man in demand before joining Real Madrid last summer(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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The return of reports once again linking Alonso to Liverpool after his Madrid exit was almost instantaneous, albeit not quite realistic. Arne Slot has managed to steady the ship at Anfield after an extremely worrying period late last year that saw the reigning Premier League champions languish in mid-table for a period of time.
However, the Dutchman and his squad continued their unbeaten streak of 11 games across all competitions on Monday night when they defeated Barnsley 4-1 in the third round of the FA Cup.
Steven Gerrard (C) of Liverpool celebrates with team mates Dirk Kuyt (L) and Xabi Alonso after scoring his third goal against Luton Town
The Spaniard was linked to the Liverpool job before Arne Slot's appointment(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike secured the Reds' passage to the next round, where they'll host Brighton & Hove Albion next month.
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