Soccer news: Liverpool, Man City or Spain? Where next for Xabi Alonso

Xabi Alonso’s sudden departure from Real Madrid has sparked immediate speculation, with several European heavyweights now monitoring his next move.

Real Madrid, despite being the most successful club in Champions League history and one of the biggest sporting institutions in the world, are not known for their patience, something Alonso discovered on Monday.

Sports News Blitz writer Oliver Powell looks at what could be next for Alonso, with a return to one of his former playing sides a possibility.

Alonso departs the Bernabeu following a Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona, a match that reportedly saw the manager challenged on the pitch by Kylian Mbappe and teammates after they went against tradition and Alonso’s wishes by refusing to give Barcelona a guard of honour.

Despite the abrupt ending, it is difficult to imagine Alonso’s reputation being damaged among Europe’s elite after just seven and a half months in Madrid.

He leaves the club inside the Champions League top eight and only four points behind Barcelona in La Liga.

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Europe’s elite circle around Alonso

Liverpool

As soon as Alonso’s exit from Madrid was announced, the 44-year-old’s name was inevitably linked with Liverpool as uncertainty around Arne Slot’s future continues.

Slot has overseen a recent upturn in form following a disastrous October and November that effectively ended Liverpool’s hopes of retaining the Premier League title.

The Reds are now 11 games unbeaten in all competitions.

However, the scale of the downturn remains difficult to ignore. Liverpool’s struggles came despite £446million being spent in the summer, raising questions about Slot’s ability to mould his own side after succeeding Jurgen Klopp in 2024.

Former midfielder Alonso, who was previously considered as a successor to Klopp before committing to another season at Bayer Leverkusen following an invincible Bundesliga title-winning campaign, could appeal to Liverpool’s hierarchy.

His familiarity with summer signings Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong strengthens that argument, as does his history at Anfield.

Alonso made 143 appearances over five years and played a key role in the club’s iconic Champions League triumph in Istanbul.

Whether Liverpool’s ownership would be willing to act decisively on Slot’s future remains the key question.

Manchester City

It is almost impossible to imagine Manchester City without Pep Guardiola, though rival supporters can only hope that day eventually arrives.

There have been murmurs this season regarding Guardiola’s long-term future, with reports linking the club to Enzo Maresca, hinting that change at the Etihad may not be too far away.

Guardiola’s current deal runs until 2027 and, while City would be happy to extend it, the decision will ultimately rest with the Catalan as he approaches 10 years at a single club for the first time in his career.

Alonso could be viewed as a natural successor, having worked under Guardiola at Bayern Munich.

However, following his difficult spell replacing Carlo Ancelotti at Madrid, stepping into Guardiola’s shadow would represent another enormous challenge.

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Manchester United

Across the city, the situation at Manchester United appears even more complex, though one that is expected to become vacant at the end of the season.

Michael Carrick is set to be confirmed as interim manager until the summer. While he will have the opportunity to stake his claim, his managerial profile does not match that of Alonso.

Alonso’s Liverpool links would make such an appointment uncomfortable for some supporters, yet it is hard to identify a higher-calibre available coach.

A move would likely see a return to a back five system, something Alonso used successfully in Germany.

That approach may not appeal to figures such as Jason Wilcox, who has reportedly expressed reservations about the setup.

Paris Saint-Germain

Paris Saint-Germain may also face a decision in the coming months amid reports Luis Enrique has declined a contract extension beyond 2027.

Following similar logic to a potential Guardiola successor, Alonso could be seen as a suitable candidate to inherit a Champions League-winning squad packed with elite talent.

Despite that success, PSG currently sit one point behind Lens in Ligue 1, with more defensive frailties on display this season following last year’s dominant Champions League final victory over Inter Milan.

Whether Alonso would be tempted by a relatively uncompetitive domestic league remains uncertain, though PSG’s shift under Enrique away from a galactico model towards a more balanced team could suit his approach.

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Spain national team

While Bayern Munich or a future Premier League vacancy at Tottenham Hotspur could also be considered, the prospect of managing Spain may be particularly appealing.

Luis de la Fuente is contracted through to Euro 2028, making a short-term move unlikely. However, international cycles rarely last long and a disappointing World Cup campaign could prompt change.

Spain are the reigning European champions and boast an abundance of young talent, with the opportunity to work with Lamine Yamal and his generation potentially drawing Alonso towards international management.

Alonso is no stranger to international success, having won two European Championships and the 2010 World Cup, starting every match despite Spain’s extraordinary midfield depth at the time.

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