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Xabi Alonso is feeling the heat as Real Madrid manager but ahead of facing Manchester City he has left the door open to a return to the Premier League.
Xabi Alonso has left the door open to managing Liverpool one day after admitting he would be open to a return to the Premier League and that he has a special relationship with his former club. The Spaniard is under pressure at Real Madrid just seven months into his reign at the Bernabeu and his future could come into sharper focus if they lose to Manchester City in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Real have won just two of their last six matches in all competitions and they were beaten at home by Celta Vigo on Sunday, with Alonso struggling to win over a powerful dressing room. With senior players having doubts over his methods, Alonso is already fighting for his future at Madrid and in his press conference before facing City he faced a barrage of questions about the club's struggles.
Alonso left Liverpool in 2009 but was linked with the Anfield job when Jurgen Klopp departed in 2024, only to decide to stay with Bayer Leverkusen for another season. But with Arne Slot now also under pressure after a dismal run of form, Alonso revealed he was interested in working in the Premier League one day.
"Of course there is a bond with my former club, but for now this is my place," Alonso said. "In future, you never know what might happen."
Alonso was also asked about Mohamed Salah's incendiary interview after Liverpool drew with Leeds on Saturday, in which he accused the club of "throwing me under the bus" and suggested he could leave in January. Salah has been left out of Liverpool's squad for their Champions League fixture with Inter Milan but Alonso was reluctant to offer a view on what has happened.
"This decision has been made in Liverpool, I’m sure we’re missing many details of what is going on. I don’t need to say anything about it," he said.
Those questions might have been a welcome relief for Alonso, who faced an interrogation on his future and his relationship with the board and the players.
He was at his bluntest when asked whether he felt he had support from the players, just offering a "yes" in reply. On his talks with Real President Florentino Perez and the board, he said: "Communication is constant, we have unity, we are all together in this, I have a good relationship with them."
Alonso continually tried to turn the talk to Wednesday's Champions League fixture with City, insisting his focus was on that game and regularly describing it as an "opportunity".
The 44-year-old played under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich and despite the changes at City this season, he is confident he knows what to expect.
"It’s Pep’s team, he’s been at the club for nine years with different stages, different teams," he said. "This year they have hired different players and important players have left, but they have very recognisable things after all these years."
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