Liverpool are the standout destination for the Spaniard but Slot still retains the backing of the hierarchy – for now
Xabi Alonso is not considering a quick return to management, although it is understood he is interested in coaching in the Premier League.
Alonso was dismissed by Real Madrid last week only seven months into the job. Under the Spaniard, Madrid were knocked out of two competitions, the humiliating defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup, and the Spanish Super Cup loss to Barcelona in Jeddah, while Los Blancos also trailed Barcelona four points in La Liga.
Nevertheless, the Spaniard remains highly rated due to his achievements at Bayer Leverkusen, where he won the Bundesliga, not only beating German giants Bayern Munich to the title but also doing it with an unbeaten record, the first in the history of the Bundesliga.
There is also a sense that much of the struggles of Madrid were not his fault, with the squad battling injury problems and pundits suggesting that the egos in the Madrid dressing room make it difficult for any manager to establish a tactical identity in the team.
Liverpool are the standout destination for Alonso in the Premier League, as his loyalty to Anfield makes it difficult to coach elsewhere. Liverpool’s current coach Arne Slot has struggled and his future at the club has come under heavy speculation despite winning the club’s 20th Premier League title just last season.
Slot’s Liverpool lost nine games out of 12 last autumn in one of the worst title defence campaigns on record in the Premier League. They have managed to stem the defeats and stabilise the side, but much of the defensive improvement has come with sacrifices in attack. Liverpool have now gone 12 games unbeaten in all competitions, but they have also drawn their last four Premier League games and failed to beat any of the newly promoted sides at Anfield, the first time since the 1980-81 season.
Slot currently still retains the backing of Liverpool’s hierarchy, but the unavailability of Alonso until June may also still be keeping the Dutchman in his hot seat. In the summer, Liverpool might have a big decision to make.
