Liverpool do not appear to believe Xabi Alonso has the necessary tools to step in and replace Arne Slot as Reds’ head coach.
Alonso has been available since January having been sacked by Real Madrid mere months into his tenure, leading to a clamour from Liverpool supporters to bring him back to Anfield.
But despite Slot continuing to disappoint in his role, Liverpool owners FSG are reportedly unwilling to relieve him of his duties. According to journalist David Ornstein, the Americans still think Slot is the best man for the job and are unconvinced that there are currently better options out there.
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
Reading between the lines, that can be seen as a fairly direct snub of Alonso and his candidacy, and if the Spaniard is deemed unfit for the post at Anfield, there can only be one manager who is worthy of the throne: Luis Enrique.
Enrique would move the needle for Slot and FSG
It is understandable in some respects that Liverpool would not believe Alonso has the capabilities to turn things around at Anfield.
The 44-year-old failed at Real Madrid, and although the circumstances that led to his premature dismissal would be entirely different from those at Liverpool, that may be coming into FSG’s thinking.
There is an argument that Slot has been so poor this season that a change is needed, whoever may or may not be available to replace him, but John Henry and co do not appear to be subscribing to it.
Xabi Alonso looks downbeat after Real Madrid lose the Supercopa againat Barcelona
Photo by Haitham AL-SHUKAIRI / AFP via Getty Images
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Alonso’s sudden arrival on the market has not changed their thinking in that respect, but if Enrique were to leave his post at Paris Saint Germain, it surely would.
The 55-year-old still has more than one year to run on his contract at Parc des Princes, but there have been rumblings that he would like to embark on a journey in the Premier League. If that is the case, and Liverpool come calling, it could be hard for him to turn down, and the Reds will know this.
Is Enrique that much better than Alonso?
Liverpool seem to be thinking that they’d rather stick with Slot than go for a manager who they deem to be inferior to the Dutchman.
Although his reputation has taken a hit this season, there is certainly an argument to be made that the Liverpool head coach is better than – or at least equal to – Alonso.
But when it comes to Enrique, there is little debate to be had. The former midfielder has won four league titles in two different countries and has two Champions League trophies to his name while leading Barcelona and PSG.
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
He truly is the elite of the elite in current managerial terms, and in a field which is short of other genuinely world-class options, Enrique stands out as the gold standard.
Others such as Julian Nagelsmann and perhaps even Thomas Tuchel may fall into a similar bracket, but if Liverpool are willing to overlook Alonso, they would likely turn the German pair down as well. If Slot’s successor is not the Reds’ former No. 14, it surely has to be Enrique.
What are the chances of Enrique being available?
The interesting thing to note here is that both Enrique and Slot currently have contracts that run until the end of next season.
Given their history of backing managers for longer than they perhaps should, it is entirely possible that FSG decide to give Slot until the summer of 2027 to turn things around.
That could be with one eye on Enrique potentially being available at the same time, and if they genuinely do believe they would have a chance at landing the Spaniard, he is certainly worth waiting for.
There is reportedly a chance that Enrique may sign a new contract with PSG, however, which would make holding on a calculated gamble for FSG.
In the meantime, performances could dictate that they simply have to bite the bullet and go for another option. Perhaps Slot’s time with Liverpool is not yet in the untenable stage, but if they exit the Champions League at the hands of Galatasaray and also lose in the FA Cup at Man City, the Reds will have to overlook their preferences and bite the bullet on Alonso.
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