Six potential next destinations for Xabi Alonso: Liverpool return or Pep Guardiola successor?

The football world was shocked this week when Real Madrid officially announced the departure of Alonso. The decision came only 24 hours after a painful 2-3 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final. 

Although Alonso arrived with high expectations just 7 months ago, his tenure at the Bernabéu was marked by inconsistent results and a lack of convincing performances. Reports suggest that beyond the scoreboard, uncontrollable dressing room tensions had surfaced, causing the club’s hierarchy to lose patience. The "Spanish Super Cup" failure was simply the final straw for a board that demands immediate perfection.

However, Alonso’s reputation remains largely intact. According to the renowned transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, despite the struggles in Madrid, the 44-year-old coach is still highly regarded by Europe’s elite. 

Romano noted that Alonso is expected to return to management soon, as his historic achievements with Bayer Leverkusen are still fresh in the minds of club owners. Spanish media outlets have already identified six potential destinations where the tactician could rebuild his career.

Tottenham Hotspur

The "Thomas Frank era" at Tottenham has been underwhelming. In his first 6 months, the Danish manager has recorded more losses than wins, leaving Spurs languishing in 14th place. The club needs a "tactical reset" to return to the Premier League’s top tier. 

Alonso, who specialized in maximizing underdog squads in Germany, fits the profile. However, the chance of this happening is low, as Alonso will likely wait for a club with more immediate Champions League stability.

Paris Saint-Germain

Luis Enrique led PSG to their first-ever Champions League title last season, but his contract expires in 2027, and renewal talks have stalled. While Enrique dismissed exit rumors as "fake news," his history of leaving clubs after successful cycles keeps the door open. 

Alonso’s tactical flexibility would suit PSG’s new "collective strength" model. If Enrique decides to seek a new challenge this summer, Alonso would be a primary target, though PSG’s current stability makes an immediate vacancy unlikely.

Manchester United

United are starting over yet again. After Ruben Amorim’s failed attempt to resurrect the "Red Devils," Michael Carrick has taken over as interim head coach until the end of the season. The squad was built for Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 system, the same formation Alonso perfected at Leverkusen. While the tactical fit is perfect, Alonso’s past as a Liverpool legend and his previous refusal to join United make this a difficult "marriage" to sell to the fans.

Bayern Munich

Alonso spent 3 years in Bavaria as a player and was Bayern’s top choice before they appointed Vincent Kompany. Currently, Kompany is excelling, with Bayern undefeated in the Bundesliga and favorites for the Champions League. 

His contract was recently extended to 2029. Unless a catastrophic collapse occurs, there is no room for Alonso at the Allianz Arena right now.

Manchester City

Speculation regarding Pep Guardiola’s future remains intense, despite his contract running until 2027. Alonso, who played under Guardiola at Bayern, is viewed as a natural "tactical heir." 

City’s commitment to a strict system would allow Alonso to implement his attacking brand more easily than he did at Madrid. This move depends entirely on whether Guardiola chooses to step down early.

Liverpool

Liverpool is the most logical and high-probability destination. Arne Slot’s second season has been a disaster, highlighted by 6 losses in 7 games and bizarre tactical decisions. The Reds recently signed Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong, 2 pillars of Alonso’s success at Leverkusen but Slot has struggled to utilize them. 

With Alonso’s deep emotional connection to Anfield and a squad already tailored to his style, a reunion seems almost inevitable.