Xabi Alonso ‘dreams’ of being Liverpool manager and may soon get his chance | Football | Sport
Xabi Alonso has already hinted that he would jump at the chance to manage Liverpool if Arne Slot is sacked in the near future. The current Reds manager is under immense pressure after overseeing a dreadful start to their Premier League title defence. His situation was further complicated by Mohamed Salah‘s explosive outburst following last weekend’s draw at Leeds United.
Liverpool chiefs are thought to be backing Slot to turn things around, while he is also believed to retain the support of most of the dressing room. However, if results don’t improve quickly, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the Dutchman relieved of his duties. If that happens, Alonso could emerge as one of the favourites to take over at Anfield.
The former Reds midfielder is currently in charge of Real Madrid but is reportedly on the verge of being sacked himself. They are currently four points behind league leaders Barcelona and have only won four of their six Champions League games.
Another bad result against Alaves this weekend could spell the end for Alonso, which may open the door for him to manage Liverpool if they decide to axe Slot.
He was heavily linked with the manager’s job when Jurgen Klopp stepped aside in 2024, though he eventually opted to stay with Bayer Leverkusen following their Bundesliga triumph.
Things could be different this time around, though, with the Spaniard having admitted his ‘dream’ of managing Liverpool in the past.
Speaking in 2018, he said: “Yes for sure, I have dreamt of that, but first I have to prove myself and prepare. If I decide somewhere along the way to take my chances as a manager, my link, my commitment, my passion with Liverpool is there.”
Alonso reiterated his connection to Liverpool when quizzed on the situation at Anfield earlier this week, telling Spanish media: “Of course there is a bond with my former club, but for now this is my place. In the future, you never know what might happen.”
It remains to be seen if his ‘dream’ will come true in the not-too-distant future, with any chance of a Liverpool return likely to depend on whether Slot can steady the ship.
The under-fire Dutchman recently insisted that Liverpool owners FSG were still right behind him, saying last month: “I don’t think it’s important if it’s fair or not, but that [sack rumours] is normal, I understand.
“If any manager around the world loses football games, let alone so many as we’ve lost, it’s quite normal that people have an opinion about that.
“And if that’s fair or not fair, that’s for the people to judge. But that is normal. I think it is that if you lose so many times, that people start talking about that.
“I think it’s a shock for everyone. For the players, for the journalists over here, for me. For everyone this is a shock that is very, very, very unexpected when you look at the quality we are having.”
