Manchester City's plan to replace Pep Guardiola could directly impact Liverpool landing Xabi Alonso - opinion

Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version from Rousing the Kop or go back to LFC Live.

Liverpool and Manchester City could both be on the hunt for new managers in the summer of 2026.Speculation around Arne Slot’s future remains after he has already guided the Reds to their most Premier League losses in a single season since 2015/16.Amid uncertainty around Slot, Xabi Alonso continues to be linked to Anfield, but it now appears as though Manchester City are not in the race for the Spaniard despite previous suggestions he could be looked at. Will Xabi Alonso be Liverpool manager by the start of the 2026/27 season?

If no, where will he be instead? Photo Credit: Getty Images/Alberto Gardin/NurPhoto Manchester City seem to want Enzo Maresca over Xabi AlonsoAn update in January mooted that Man City and Liverpool could ‘battle’ for Alonso later this year.However, L’Equipe now say that the Sky Blues have already chosen their next manager should Guardiola depart.They stated: “Manchester City will likely lose Pep Guardiola, but sources within European sporting administration indicate that his successor is already known (Enzo Maresca).”If that is indeed the case, it means Liverpool could have a much clearer run at Alonso once the 2025/26 season comes to an end.However, it does not look like FSG will have a lot of time to make a decision on whether they want to bring the former player back to Merseyside.Lewis Steele commented on Alonso’s future last week and suggested his future will be decided in May.He said: “Liverpool will be aware of that when they come to make their mind up on Slot, and they probably will have, it’s not the sort of thing where they can make a call to Alonso in on the 1st of June, for example.

I think his future would be decided by then.”At present, Liverpool’s 2025/26 campaign is due to come to a close on May 24 against Brentford, at which point we will know if Slot has managed to get Champions League football or not.On paper, that would not give the Reds much time to make a move for Alonso, but if City are out of the race, that should certainly help the situation, as right now at least, no other clubs are being heavily linked with the ex-Real Madrid man.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox