Although many Liverpool supporters have already designated Xabi Alonso as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement, it appears that he is in line for a different position.
Alonso has attracted the attention of supporters in Merseyside after establishing himself as one of Europe’s most impressive young managers since taking over at Bayer Leverkusen.
The former Liverpool midfielder has been mentioned as Jurgen Klopp’s replacement since his contract is now set to expire in 2026, however there is optimism that he would extend it further.
Waiting another three years might not be an option, though, given Alonso’s performance at Leverkusen, who are now second in the Bundesliga with 13 points after five games.
The 41-year-old is considered the favorite as Real Madrid looks to replace Carlo Ancelotti, according to Radio MARCA.
The Spanish club will be deciding who will succeed Ancelotti as Brazil manager at the end of the current campaign; however, this has not yet been verified.
After moving from Liverpool for £30 million in 2009, Alonso played for Real for five years until 2014. During that time, he won five trophies.
It wouldn’t be the first time the Madrid team hired an inexperienced ex-player as manager; Zinedine Zidane is a good example of this.
Alonso has previously guided Leverkusen to the semifinals of the Europa League last season, making him more accomplished at the senior level than Zidane was when he got the position.
However, with six managerial changes over the past ten years, including two stints for each Ancelotti and Zidane, the average tenure of a Real manager has been brief.
Since Vicente del Bosque’s 233 matches between 1999 and 2003, no Real manager has taken his team into more than 200 matches. Jose Mourinho is the next closest with 178.
Possibly Alonso can still fit in a trip to the Bernabeu.