After making his mark at Real Sociedad during his playing days, he was recruited by manager Rafa Benitez to join Liverpool. Xabi Alonso, a former Spanish midfielder, has developed into an accurate passer of long and short passes from the midfield, not only setting up attacks but also creating chances that lead directly to goals.
He became one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, but the relationship deteriorated when Benitez was inclined to acquire other players.
His next step was to move to Real Madrid. After another dominant performance in the Spanish capital, he spent the last part of his career at Bayern Munich.
After retiring, he worked with young players at Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. He steadily gained experience, and when he took over Bayer Leverkusen midway through last season, he emerged as an up-and-coming coach in the Bundesliga, and is in second place after five games this season.
With clubs like Liverpool and Real Madrid looking at him as their next coach, he is increasingly likely to succeed Carlo Ancelotti, who is scheduled to step down next summer, according to Christian Falk, a German journalist.
“We believe Xabi Alonso is the number one option to replace Carlo Ancelotti in 2024. I think at the moment he is one of the biggest solutions and has the best chance to get this job.”
“Everybody knows that Leverkusen could just be a step in between. They don’t know if it will be Real Madrid, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, one of his former clubs, but everyone knows that one of these clubs will be the next step.”
Caughtoffside
The timing is perfect for him, as he has already achieved results in Germany. Liverpool has Jurgen Klopp under contract until 2026, and it is unlikely that the club would move for the young Spaniard by terminating the German’s contract.
However, after nearly a decade of leading Liverpool back to the top of the table, it is time for Klopp to hand over the reins to his successor in order to avoid a repeat of Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson.
We will be keeping a close eye on the departure of Xabi Alonso, and will be keeping our fingers crossed as to who will be the next coach to take the reins at Anfield.