Pep Guardiola has reportedly suggested 44-year-old Spanish tactician Xabi Alonso as his ideal long-term successor at Manchester City, with Liverpool also keen.
According to a report by Spanish outlet Fichajes, Liverpool and Manchester City are interested in Xabi Alonso. The two Premier League heavyweights are combing the managerial market amid uncertainties surrounding the long-term futures of Arne Slot and Pep Guardiola. So, the 44-year-old former Real Madrid manager has emerged as a target for them, and Pep Guardiola has tipped the Spaniard as his ideal successor.
How has Xabi Alonso fared in the managerial world?
Xabi Alonso has established himself as one of the world’s most revered young managers in the last few years. The Spaniard was among the finest players of his generation, enjoying trophy-laden spells with Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. He also represented Spain and won the UEFA European Championships and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
The 44-year-old called time on his professional career in 2017 and immediately entered the coaching sphere. Alonso cut his teeth at Real Sociedad and assumed charge of the Basque club’s reserve side before taking over at Bayer Leverkusen in October 2022. He had a transformative effect on Die Werkself, guiding them to the Bundesliga title and the DFB Pokal in his first full season with the club while finishing as the runners-up in the UEFA Europa League.
The Spanish tactician’s next coaching assignment came with Real Madrid, and he returned to the Santiago Bernabeu before the 2025/26 season began. However, Alonso endured a topsy-turvy spell with Los Blancos and parted ways with the club last month. Nevertheless, his stock remains high despite lasting at Real Madrid for less than a season, with Liverpool and Manchester City among the prospective suitors vying for his signature.
Premier League return on the horizon?
Xabi Alonso has been on Liverpool’s wishlist for a long time. The continued interest makes sense, as Arne Slot’s long-term future is uncertain, having struggled in his second season with the Merseyside outfit thus far. Several candidates have thus emerged on Liverpool’s wishlist, with Alonso also a viable target.
As for Manchester City, Alonso has also been a target for them for a long time. The continued interest is understandable, as Pep Guardiola’s long-term future is uncertain amid reports that he may call time on his spell at the Etihad after the 2025/26 season. So, Alonso is an option worth considering for Manchester City.
The latest report has revealed that Guardiola has tipped Alonso, whom he managed at Bayern Munich, as his ideal successor at Manchester City. With the Citizens keen on landing the 44-year-old Spaniard, it will be interesting to see if his first spell since leaving Real Madrid comes at the Etihad.