Amid continued struggles under Arne Slot, reports over the weekend suggested Xabi Alonso was close to becoming Liverpool’s manager for the 2026/27 season.
Alonso has been linked with an Anfield return for much of the campaign now, and with the Spaniard currently out of work, talk of a move has not gone away.
However, Fabrizio Romano has now clarified that the former midfielder does not have a deal in place with the current Premier League champions.
Will Xabi Alonso be Liverpool manager by the start of the 2026/27 season?
If no, where will he be instead?
Xabi Alonso pictured during Real Madrid's La Liga match against Real Betis at the Bernabeu (Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto
Liverpool don’t have deal with Xabi Alonso
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said he can ‘guarantee’ nothing has been decided.
However, there will be an internal review at Liverpool, which will involve the manager, at the end of the 2025/26 campaign.
He said: “I saw many questions in the chat about this one. Is true or is not true that Xabi Alonso has agreed already a three-year contract with Liverpool?
“At the moment, there is nothing done agreed in talks advanced between Xabi Alonso and Liverpool. I can guarantee that nothing has been decided.
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
“At the end of the season, Liverpool will have an internal review involving players, managers, and all people at the club.
“So there is going to be an internal conversation to review the season, but at the moment nothing is decided, nothing is agreed with Xabi Alonso. There is an appreciation, of course, former Liverpool player, top coach. So for sure, between Xabi Alonso and Liverpool, the feelings are positive, but nothing at all has been agreed as of today.”
Ok, let’s all agree Slot’s done, who you want to see in the dugout next?
Arne Slot ahead of Galatasaray v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
Credit: Arife Karakum/Anadolu/Anadolu/Getty Images
Xabi Alonso rejected a manager job because of instability
Alonso has been out of work since parting ways with Real Madrid in January 2026.
His spell in the Spanish capital did not go to plan, but he is clearly a top manager, having guided Bayer Leverkusen to a Bundesliga title previously.
In turn, it was not surprising to see Marseille approach Alonso in February, but the ex-midfielder turned down that role due to ‘instability’ at the French side.
Liverpool, on the other hand, have no such problems under FSG, with long-term planning when it comes to transfer targets, managers and more commonplace at Anfield.
It remains to be seen if the Reds will make a formal approach in the summer, but they should not have to worry about Alonso rejecting them due to a lack of stability.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox