Jamie Carragher has had his say on Xabi Alonso potentially becoming Manchester United manager, with the former Liverpool star having been linked following his firing at Real Madrid
James Findlater Content Editor
12:03, 15 Jan 2026
Jamie Carragher has given his verdict after Xabi Alonso was linked with Manchester United
Jamie Carragher has given his verdict after Xabi Alonso was linked with Manchester United(Image: Stick to Football)
Jamie Carragher has completely dismissed the idea of Xabi Alonso becoming Manchester United manager.
Alonso is available after being fired by Real Madrid this week. The former Liverpool midfielder was given his marching orders following defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final, although his dismissal had been on the cards for a while by that point.
Another of Carragher and Alonso’s former teammates, Alvaro Arbeloa, has been handed the reins at the Bernabeu after being promoted from his role in the academy, although Jurgen Klopp has been touted as an option should Real look to appoint a new manager during the summer.
READ MORE: Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Guehi offer, Van de Ven 'dream', Klopp linked with Real MadridREAD MORE: Xabi Alonso was fired by Real Madrid after making Trent Alexander-Arnold prediction
As for Alonso, the Spaniard is still likely to be a much sought after manager, despite lasting less than eight months in charge in Madrid.
He has been previously linked with taking over from Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, while Manchester United is reported to have considered him a couple of years ago.
The Red Devils could come calling again this summer. United has appointed Michael Carrick as interim manager following the firing of Ruben Amorim, with a permanent appointment being delayed until the current season is over.
Xabi Alonso speaks ahead of what proved to be his final game as Real Madrid head coach.
Xabi Alonso has been touted as an option for Manchester United(Image: Ismael Adnan Yaqoob/Anadolu via Getty Images)
United’s next manager was debated during the latest episode of the Stick to Football podcast, with Gary Neville throwing out a number of possible candidates, including Thomas Tuchel and Carlo Ancelotti.
Jill Scott threw Alonso’s name into the mix, although Carragher had little time for that suggestion. “He can’t go there,” he said as he dismissed the notion of his former Liverpool teammate taking over at the Reds’ biggest rival.
Alonso, for his part, has already seemingly suggested he wouldn’t take the United job, with reports suggesting he would be hesitant given his connections with Liverpool.
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During his return to Anfield in 2022 for a charity match, he told Liverpool's official 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.
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"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."
Liverpool.com says: You’d hope that Alonso wouldn’t consider taking over at United. You only need to look at Michael Owen to see how it would damage his reputation with Liverpool fans.
What’s more, it would be an almighty risk from both sides if he was appointed at Old Trafford. The moment anything started to go wrong, you know he’d be under more pressure than usual from supporters, and the problems at United are so well documented that it beggars belief why any manager would want to go there right now.