Liverpool fans are reeling this afternoon following the disappointing news that Xabi Alonso will not be their manager next season.
Reds supporters had been hoping to see their former midfielder make a return to the club he left 15 years ago. But having decided to stay at Bayer Leverkusen instead, that now won’t be happening.
Alonso’s decision opens up many questions about what the immediate future looks like for Liverpool. Early indications suggest that either Ruben Amorim or Roberto De Zerbi will follow Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dug out.
Aside from the here and now though, we’re also left wondering what Alonso’s long-term plan is. Is this a no for now, or a no forever?
Thankfully, Sky Sports journalist Melissa Reddy has been on hand to try and answer that burning question.
Is the door still open for Xabi Alonso at Liverpool
Clearly, Alonso is still right at the very start of his coaching career. That’s probably actually the main reason he has decided to ignore the calls from Liverpool this summer.
If things go to plan for the Spaniard, then he’ll get the chance to manage his former club again. That’s something that Reddy has reiterated, claiming that it’s still in Alonso’s ‘big vision’ to one day return to Merseyside.
“I think he’ll hope so because when he started getting into management, his big vision was that he was going to go and manage all the clubs that he played for and felt a real connection to,” says the journalist.
That’s all well and good in practice, but having hired just six managers in the last 26 years, the Liverpool job doesn’t tend to be one that comes up all that often.
And according to Reddy, that’s a tradition the Reds’ are hopeful of continuing with their next appointment, too.
“That Liverpool job, it’s very rare that they change often,” explains the reporter. “Something has to go extra wrong and with Michael Edwards there and Richard Hughes, I think Liverpool are quite comfortable and confident in their structure that they’ll find the right person to stay for a long period. But yeah, the future’s a long time, so one day.”
Should Liverpool return for Alonso
It’s impossible to say exactly what will happen in the future. So many things have to line up for a manager to take a job anywhere.
But what does appear clear is that Alonso could have the chance to manage one of his old clubs next year. Having had an extra season at Leverkusen, perhaps he’ll see 2025 as the ideal time to take over from Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid.
From a Liverpool point of view, it would be a bit of a kick in the teeth to see that happen. With Ancelotti very much in until he’s out, you can imagine a conversation would already have taken place to that effect at the Bernabeu. If that turns out to be true, then this snub from Alonso takes on a different light.
Now really is a great time for him and Liverpool. It may have come a little soon for the 42-year-old’s liking, but not everything in life can be timed perfectly. We have a feeling Alonso may come to regret passing this up.
If it were up to us, that would be it for Liverpool and Alonso. Don’t give him the chance to say no again.