Liverpool
Liverpool reach out to Real Madrid as Xabi Alonso saga intensifies
Liverpool have contacted Real Madrid to ask about Xabi Alonso, looking for the inside track on his short, disappointing stint in charge at the Bernabéu, according to Spanish outlet AS. The Reds are clearly eager to know exactly what went wrong before making a massive call, and are now doing their homework on the 44-year-old Spaniard, a man who has felt like their manager-in-waiting for a long time. Hired in June 2025 to follow Carlo Ancelotti, Alonso lasted just seven months in Madrid before leaving by mutual consent on January 4, 2026, following a Super Cup final loss to Barcelona.
Things started to unravel in October when senior figures, including Vinicius Junior and Fede Valverde, voiced their frustrations with Alonso’s approach, specifically the marathon tactical meetings and video sessions. Some players reportedly went as far as pretending to sleep while he spoke, while others chatted loudly over him.
That level of dressing room chaos would be enough to derail any manager. AS suggests Liverpool bosses have spoken to Real Madrid to get the full picture of his time at Valdebebas, and the Spaniard is now the frontrunner to take over at Anfield for the 2026/27 season.
Liverpool’s current season is one the fans will want to forget. They’ve been out of the title race for months and crashed out of every cup competition by the quarter-final stage. Despite spending over £400 million last summer, Arne Slot‘s time is up after a nightmare second year. Alonso is now viewed as the man to spearhead a new era, reportedly being offered total control over squad planning.
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Should Liverpool and Chelsea both be battling for Alonso, or is his stock falling?
Both clubs are keen, but their motivations are worlds apart. It’s important to distinguish between the two, as their reasoning doesn’t hold the same significance. Chelsea have already had positive talks with Alonso, who seems open to a long-term project, but the fact that four managers have been axed since the BlueCo takeover makes you wonder if anyone can actually succeed at Stamford Bridge.
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Alonso excels when he can build disciplined, cohesive systems, as we saw at Leverkusen, but that requires patience and backing from the board, two things Chelsea haven’t shown much of lately. While the Blues seem ready to give their next manager more say in transfers, there’s a big difference between promising power and actually handing it over.
Liverpool, on the other hand, offer a sense of home and a fanbase that would be completely energised by his return. If the Real Madrid collapse showed that Alonso can struggle when big egos ignore his system, then Anfield is actually the better environment for him, as the club have always put team culture above individuals. Chelsea might match his ambition, but Liverpool are the better fit for his football.
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