Tag Archives: Xabi Alonso

Liverpool handed huge blow as Xabi Alonso opens talks with Bayern Munich, reveals why he can’t join Reds

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Bayern Munich have reportedly opened talks with Xabi Alonso over him becoming their new manager in the summer – in a potential blow to Liverpool’s chances of landing him.

Alonso, 42, is world football’s most in-demand coach after a hugely successful season with Bayer Leverkusen that sees them 10 points ahead of Bayern in the Bundesliga title race.

Liverpool are keen on the Spaniard to succeed Jurgen Klopp but reports from Germany suggest Bayern – who want a replacement for Thomas Tuchel – have already held discussions with him.

Sky Sport Deutschland, via Daily Mail, reported on Monday night that the first signs were positive for Bayern and that Alonso currently favours them over Liverpool.

Their reporter Florian Plettenberg reported that Alonso feels following on from Klopp’s successful tenure at Anfield is too high a risk.

Klopp has won the Champions League, the Premier League, the FA Cup, two League Cups, and the FIFA Club World Cup during his nine years in charge at Liverpool and is adored by the red half of Merseyside.

That would certainly be a more difficult legacy to follow than Tuchel’s unravelling spell at Bayern, with their season essentially hinging on Tuesday night’s Champions League game with Lazio.

The news comes as a huge blow to Liverpool who are also keeping tabs on Alonso as a potential successor to Klopp.

Liverpool made the shock announcement in January that Klopp has decided to leave the club at the end of the season and Alonso has been linked with the upcoming vacancy ever since.

Alonso won the Champions League as an Anfield star in 2005 and has always maintained a close affinity with fans of the club.

Klopp previously heaped praise on Alonso recently, stating: “Xabi is doing an incredible job.

“The ‘dinosaurs’ like Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola and myself will not do it for 20 more years but the next generation is already there. I would say Xabi is stand-out in that department.

“He was a world-class player, like a coach already, and the team he has set up is exceptional. Not only the points tally but the way they play.”

Barcelona, others set to battle Liverpool for Xabi Alonso

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Liverpool will reportedly face fierce competition from Barcelona for Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso in the summer.

The Spaniard is the strong favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp at Anfield but is also wanted by several other high-profile European clubs, including AC Milan and now also Barca.

It is claimed that Barca are scouring Germany for their next head coach, with Xavi Hernandez announcing that he, like Klopp, will step down at the end of the season. Alonso is considered ‘very popular’ among the Barca board.

Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, Julian Nagelsmann and Klopp himself have also reportedly been discussed among key figures at the Nou Camp. Alonso, though, is considered the ‘dream’ appointment, Spanish publication Sport claim.

The former midfielder has guided Bayer Leverkusen to the top of the Bundesliga without losing a game. His side comprehensively defeated serial champions Bayern Munich 3-0 on Saturday night to take control of the title race. It was the performance of a team who are exceptionally well coached.

Links with La Liga giants Barca are not without merit. Alonso’s father, Periko, made over 50 league appearances for the club in the 1980s. Alonso spent some of his formative years in Catalonia during his father’s playing career.

Alonso played for Barca’s arch-rivals Real Madrid. The report claims the Catalans think they would be getting one over Los Blancos by appointing the former midfielder, who has been tipped to manage at the Bernabeu one day.

Alonso might be more enticed by the Liverpool job because of financial issues being experienced by Barca.

The 42-year-old has been strongly linked with a return to Anfield, where he made 210 appearances between 2004 and 2010. He became a fans’ favourite and scored in the triumphant 2005 Champions League final.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, are unlikely to be looking for a new manager any time soon with Carlo Ancelotti overcoming a difficult start to the season and signing a new long-term contract. Los Blancos are five points clear at the top of La Liga after a 4-0 thumping of surprise title challengers Girona.

Photo Credit: bayer04_en/ X