Daily Express

Xabi Alonso 'dreams' of being Liverpool manager and may soon get his chance

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


Xabi Alonso 'Dreams' of Being Liverpool Manager and May Soon Get His Chance

Xabi Alonso, the celebrated Spanish midfielder turned manager, has long harbored ambitions to return to Liverpool as head coach, according to sources close to the club. Despite his recent successes elsewhere, whispers from Anfield suggest he could be in line for the top job sooner than expected[1].



Alonso's storied history with Liverpool dates back to 2004, when he joined under Rafael Benítez alongside Luis García. His technical prowess and vision revolutionized the squad, culminating in the iconic 2005 Champions League victory. Alonso played a pivotal role in the "Miracle of Istanbul," helping Liverpool overturn a 3-0 deficit against AC Milan[1].

Fast-forward to his managerial career: After guiding Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title in 2024 with a stunning 5-0 win over Werder Bremen, Alonso was heavily linked to vacancies at Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid. He reaffirmed his Leverkusen commitment in March 2024 but departed after two-and-a-half years[1].

On May 25, 2025, Real Madrid announced Alonso as Carlo Ancelotti's replacement for a three-year deal starting June 1. His debut came in the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup opener—a 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal on June 18—followed by a 3-1 win over Pachuca despite a red card. Real exited in the semi-finals after a 4-0 loss to Paris Saint-Germain on July 9[1].

Domestically, Alonso started strongly, earning La Liga Manager of the Month for August 2025 with a perfect record. Yet, Liverpool links persist. Insiders claim Alonso views Anfield as his "dream job," having rejected advances before. With ongoing turbulence at Liverpool potentially signaling a managerial change, his name tops the wishlist. Fans reminisce his midfield mastery, and his tactical acumen—blending possession and counter-attacks—fits the modern Premier League[1].

Will Alonso swap the Bernabéu for the Kop? Speculation mounts as his Madrid tenure unfolds.

(Word count: 298)