The football community was taken aback on Monday evening when Real Madrid made a surprising announcement: Xabi Alonso is no longer the head coach of the club, with no prior hints or media leaks.
Alonso’s replacement has already been identified as Álvaro Arbeloa, who is expected to lead the team until the summer. Spanish media reports suggest that Jürgen Klopp and Enzo Maresca are in the running for the head coach position for the 2026/27 season, as noted by ‘Fussballtransfers’.
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What lies ahead for Alonso remains uncertain. This scenario presents a unique opportunity for speculation about where the former Leverkusen coach might land next. Here are some (possibly tongue-in-cheek) ideas.
Liverpool FC
Some Liverpool fans are already imagining a future with Xabi Alonso at the helm. Social media is abuzz with this possibility, and supporters would undoubtedly welcome the former player’s return, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Arne Slot’s coaching position at the club.
Manchester United
If Alonso is looking for a brief respite from the coaching scene, the head coach role at Manchester United will be up for grabs this summer. Michael Carrick is expected to take over on an interim basis, according to Fabrizio Romano. While local media indicate that Oliver Glasner and Thomas Tuchel are the frontrunners for the permanent position, this was also the situation before Alonso’s exit from Real Madrid.
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Return to the Bundesliga?
In the Bundesliga, there have been few recent coaching changes or shaky positions among the top clubs. However, should Niko Kovač’s situation become precarious at any point, it’s possible that BVB officials might reach out to Alonso, given his previous success in the league.
Premier League, Bundesliga, or even a national team: where do you see Alonso heading next? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.
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