Richard Keys makes clear Liverpool point in Xabi Alonso advice to Man Utd

Richard Keys has urged Manchester United to pursue Xabi Alonso for their managerial vacancy, insisting the Spaniard's time as a Liverpool player should not rule him out of consideration

Xabi Alonso has been fired by Real Madrid(Image: Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Manchester United has been encouraged to consider Xabi Alonso as their next full-time manager this summer. Alonso is currently out of work after parting ways with Real Madrid in a surprise decision this week.

Real Madrid declared that Alonso's exit from Santiago Bernabeu was a "mutual agreement", a decision reached less than 24 hours after the team's 3-2 defeat to fierce rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.

Alonso had only assumed control at Madrid the previous summer following Carlo Ancelotti's departure, and the club has already announced former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa as his replacement after the brutal firing.

Before his stint at Real, Alonso was briefly speculated to be a contender for the top job at Liverpool back in 2024, before the Reds opted for Arne Slot as their new head coach.

United have been on the hunt for a new manager since Ruben Amorim's departure last week, with Michael Carrick expected to step in temporarily until the season's end.

While Alonso's five-year tenure as a player at Liverpool has fuelled rumours of a return to Anfield, sports broadcaster Richard Keys believes United should not be put off and has urged them to pursue the former Real boss this summer.

"Perfect. United should move heaven and earth to appoint [Xabi] Alonso," Keys posted on X, previously known as Twitter.

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

"And don't tell me his time at Liverpool rules him out - [Sir Matt] Busby played for them and [Manchester] City."

Alonso previously reflected on his connection with Liverpool when he featured for the Merseyside outfit in a charity match in 2022.

"Once a Red, always a Red," Alonso said at the time. "It's not a logo, I think it's a reality. Not just my case, I think that most of us feel really close to the club.

"Wherever you are in the world, Liverpool fans remember you and they keep you closer to the club. That's the best thing of Liverpool. All the support and all the family that's around the world."

United's next match sees them take on Manchester City in the Premier League this Saturday for the Manchester derby, with the Red Devils hoping to have Carrick on the touchline for the encounter.

Darren Fletcher assumed the interim position at United following Amorim's exit, presiding over a 1-1 draw with Burnley in the Premier League before experiencing a loss against Brighton in the FA Cup third round.