'I have a big Xabi Alonso worry for Liverpool that could come true after Real Madrid firing'

Xabi Alonso is available now after being fired by Real Madrid, which makes the possibility of him taking a job that Liverpool fans would hate all the more realistic

Xabi Alonso has been fired as Real Madrid manager(Image: Getty Images)

Xabi Alonso's time at Real Madrid is at an end, and sadly for the former Liverpool hero, his firing has felt inevitable for a while now.

When Los Blancos visited Anfield back in November and came out comfortably second-best against a Reds side that couldn't buy a win at that time, you could sense all was not well for him at the Bernabeu, and sure enough, he barely saw the job through to the end of the year.

It's the first major blemish on what was such a promising managerial career, but it shouldn't prevent Alonso from finding another top job.

After all, back when Jurgen Klopp made his shock announcement to leave the club in January, there was only one man for the job in the eyes of the majority of Liverpool fans. Alonso was breaking records left, right and center at Bayer Leverkusen, and his connection to Anfield made him the ideal man to immediately get supporters on side.

That dream though was soon shattered as the former midfielder pledged his immediate future to Leverkusen, causing Liverpool to turn its attention to Arne Slot.

The decision worked out well, with the Reds winning the Premier League title in Slot's first season in charge, but the Alonso appeal was obvious. It wasn’t just his incredible record at Leverkusen that had swayed me, although that clearly played a massive part. It was the familiarity that he would have brought amid Liverpool’s biggest change in almost a decade.

Xabi Alonso ruled himself out of the Liverpool job in 2024, leading to Arne Slot being hired(Image: Getty Images)

A return as head coach to lead Liverpool into a golden new era just made sense. Of course, as much as I loved watching Alonso the midfield maestro, I care a lot more about Liverpool continuing its success post-Klopp. If that means Slot for the next decade or so, then I can happily live with not seeing Alonso the manager up close - although the Dutchman will have to improve on recent showings.

What does fill me with dread though is the idea of the Spaniard taking over at one of Liverpool’s rivals. Alonso succeeding Pep Guardiola at Manchester City is something that hasn't been talked about much, but I couldn't help but view it as a distinct possibility for a while now, even from the moment he decided to stay put in Germany in 2024.

Taking the Real Madrid job wasn't ideal either, but it did at least rule him out of being a direct domestic rival in the immediate. As is often the case at the Bernabeu though, Alonso was never destined for a long stay as manager.

Now that he's out of a job, the prospect of him taking over at the Etihad seems a little more realistic. Yes, hiring a manager who lasted just half a season in his biggest job to date might not be the best look for a club like City, but Real has to be taken as a unique scenario.

What's more, according to The Athletic, Alonso has already featured in conversations as City lines up potential replacements for Guardiola. The former Barcelona manager's current contract runs until the summer of 2027, but there has already been speculation that he could leave this year.

If so, from City’s perspective, who better to take over than one of Guardiola’s protégés? Mikel Arteta is already building his own fortress at Arsenal, and Vincent Kompany is looking settled at Bayern Munich, so Alonso could be the next port of call. The timings, it seems, definitely add up.

Reports have suggested Pep Guardiola could leave Manchester City this year(Image: Getty Images)

And dismissing Alonso because of his short time in Madrid would be short-sighted on City's part. Having won the double and gone unbeaten aside from the Europa League final in his first full season with Leverkusen, he will surely have more clubs falling over themselves to secure his services.

Of course, it’s all conjecture at this moment in time. It's possible that Guardiola does intend on staying until the end of his contract, or possibly even beyond that, and another opportunity may come along for Alonso in the meantime - hopefully not Manchester United.

But if Guardiola is to move on, it does seem as though Alonso could be near the top of the list to take over, if not first-choice. I’m not sure how my heart would take seeing him in the opposition dugout at Anfield every season, with that outcome considerably worse than seeing him at Real Madrid.

An original version of this story was first published on March 31, 2024. It has since been updated.