Xabi Alonso’s managerial future has taken an unexpected turn, with the former Liverpool midfielder not expected to be on the Reds’ shortlist this summer.
Initially considered a strong candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield, Alonso now seems set to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga club, under Alonso’s leadership, is on the cusp of securing its first Bundesliga title, a remarkable achievement in his debut full season as manager.
Alonso’s coaching journey began with Real Sociedad’s B team, where he spent three years before moving to Leverkusen in October 2022.
Despite a challenging start with Leverkusen in the bottom half of the Bundesliga, Alonso’s impact was evident as he guided the team to Europa League qualification in his first season.
This season, Leverkusen has been unbeaten in all competitions, poised to break Bayern Munich’s 11-year dominance of the Bundesliga title, showcasing Alonso’s tactical prowess and managerial acumen.
Liverpool, meanwhile, is restructuring its leadership ahead of appointing a new manager. Michael Edwards, the former sporting director, has returned as CEO of football for owner Fenway Sports Group, with Richard Hughes from Bournemouth joining as sporting director.
The recruitment of Hughes, who played a role in appointing Andoni Iraola as Bournemouth’s manager last summer, shares an agent with Alonso, hinting at a potential influence on Liverpool’s managerial search.