Liverpool could hire Xabi Alonso next summer, thanks to an aspect of his deal at Bayern Munich to give him the option to return
(Image credit: Lukas Schulze/Getty Images)
Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso is free to return to Anfield next summer and manage the club.
The Basque boss is currently at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, where he has transformed fortunes. Leverkusen are top of the table heading into Julian Nagelsmann's first international break as Germany boss – and Alonso has won plaudits for his high-energy and intelligent style of play.
Jurgen Klopp is the longest-serving manager in the Premier League (Image credit: Getty Images)
SportBILD claims that Alonso is contracted at Leverkusen until 2026, he has a clause in place which will allow him to jump ship to any of his three major European clubs.
Liverpool is, of course, one, where the World Cup winner spent five successful years in midfield with Steven Gerrard. Real Madrid and Bayern Munich are the other two.
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Alonso went on to win a second European title with Los Blancos during his Bernabeu years under the tutelage of Carlo Ancelotti. Now, he could replace the Italian in the hot seat, should the legendary manager choose to leave the 14-time Champions League winners next summer.
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With Bayern struggling early in the season to keep pace with Die Werkself at the top of the table, meanwhile, they too could turn to their own former midfield metronome, who was brought to the club by Pep Guardiola and used at centre-back.
Xabi Alonso has a close Liverpool connection (Image credit: Getty)
Despite Jurgen Klopp's contract on Merseyside running until 2025, Football Transfers have claimed that the German will assess his options at the end of the season.
Nagelsmann's contract with the German national team is a short-term one – and Klopp is believed to be interested in the role after he leaves Anfield.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
