Xabi Alonso’s name has been attached to Liverpool ever since he broke through as an elite manager.
The managerial market is now in full swing, and Alonso has been linked with Chelsea in recent days. That initially felt like baseless gossip about a manager everyone knows is looking for work, but there does appear to be movement in that direction.
It would be a strange move for the Spaniard, not only because of the instability that has plagued Stamford Bridge under BlueCo, but because it is widely accepted that he eventually wants to manage Liverpool.
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Xabi Alonso wants Liverpool and everyone knows it
Recent reports have made clear that Liverpool have not been in contact with Alonso.
Even so, his ties to Anfield mean he remains the most popular choice among many supporters to replace Arne Slot. Alonso was adored as a player, has built a serious coaching reputation, and looks like a natural fit for the club in almost every way.
It also seems that he harbours the same desire.
Speaking on Sky Sports, senior football correspondent Kaveh Solhekol said: “In football, it’s an open secret that his dream job is to manage Liverpool after having left Real Madrid, which was another dream job, and probably Bayern Munich, which is another dream job.
“The Liverpool job is not available. Even though Liverpool have had a disappointing underwhelming season, some of the fans are unhappy with Arne Slot. Liverpool owners at the moment are planning to stick with Arne Slot.”
What Alonso wants is one thing. What FSG want is another.
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All the signs right now point to Liverpool sticking with Slot, even after a difficult season and growing unrest from sections of the fanbase.
That may mean watching Alonso move elsewhere, potentially even to a Premier League rival. For many Liverpool fans, that would be a painful sight indeed.
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