Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid dream crashed after only eight months. Now where does Europe’s tactical wizard land next?
Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid chapter closed abruptly after eight months, marked by dressing room tensions and a Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona. Now, at 44, the tactician who masterminded Bayer Leverkusen’s unbeaten Bundesliga run, eyes fresh challenges at elite clubs hungry for his structured pressing game.
Speculation swirls around five prime destinations, each offering a shot at redemption amid current managerial pressures. The Hard Tackle looks at and assesses the five potential destinations for the former Real Madrid manager
Xabi Alonso’s time at Real Madrid
Xabi Alonso took over at Real Madrid last summer amid sky-high expectations, succeeding Carlo Ancelotti with a reputation forged from Bayer Leverkusen’s invincible 2023/24 domestic campaign. His side kicked off the 2025/26 La Liga campaign strongly, winning the first six matches to go four points clear at the top of the table, while looking comfortable in the UEFA Champions League.
Cracks emerged quickly, though. Vinicius Junior’s public outbursts—touchline arguments after substitutions in games like Espanyol and El Clasico, plus cryptic social media posts after benchings—signalled eroding authority.
Kylian Mbappe’s on-camera override of Xabi Alonso’s guard-of-honour suggestion post the Spanish Super Cup defeat to Barcelona exposed deeper rifts, with stars prioritising egos over coaching directives.
The 3-2 Jeddah loss proved pivotal, capping dropped points against mid-table sides like Rayo Vallecano and Girona. Despite a 71% win rate across 28 games (20 wins), Alonso’s possession-heavy style, averaging 62% ball share, frustrated attackers used to freer roles, isolating Mbappe and curbing Vinicius Junior’s output to 0.7 goals per 90 minutes from prior peaks.
The mutual parting felt inevitable; players, not president Florentino Perez, dictated the exit, paving Alvaro Arbeloa’s interim path. With Alonso waiting for an opportunity to resume work, The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at potential destinations.
Liverpool (Likelihood: 9/10 | Suitability: 9/10)
Liverpool top the list, blending Xabi Alonso’s playing legacy, which included five trophy-filled years from 2004 to 2009, with Arne Slot’s faltering second season. The Reds sit fourth in the Premier League, 14 points adrift of leaders Arsenal after Slot’s title-winning debut soured into inconsistent form.
Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen blueprint suits Anfield’s high press: Liverpool’s recent signings Jeremie Frimpong (now right-back) and Florian Wirtz mirror his German stars, yet both struggle, although Wirtz and Frimpong have adapted in recent weeks.
His 4-2-3-1 could unlock them, boosting a squad facing Mohamed Salah’s evolving transfer saga amid Slot’s 45% win rate post-title. Fan adoration and the heaping pressure on the Dutch tactician make this reunion logical. Alonso once chose Bayer Leverkusen over Liverpool in 2024; now available, he would inherit a Champions League side primed for tactical revival, not rebuild.
Manchester City (Likelihood: 6/10 | Suitability: 8/10)
Pep Guardiola’s contract runs to 2027. But Manchester City went trophyless 2024/25 and currently trail Arsenal in the Premier League title race, thus fuelling exit talk. Even if the Manchester City boss manages to guide them to major silverware this term, Guardiola could still push for an exit at the end of the season.
Xabi Alonso, Guardiola’s Bayern Munich protege from 2014 to 2016), could evolve the possession dynasty he learned firsthand. Manchester City’s squad fits Alonso’s demands: structured build-up (65% possession average), pressing triggers, and stars like Erling Haaland thriving centrally, unlike Kylian Mbappe’s isolation at Real Madrid.
Challenges loom in Guardiola’s shadow; Alonso must prove he scales without inheriting chaos. Still, Manchester City’s elite status offers stability to refine his ideas minus Real Madrid’s ego storms.
PSG (Likelihood: 5/10 | Suitability: 8/10)
Paris Saint-Germain swept all domestic fronts last season under Luis Enrique and also picked up the elusive UEFA Champions League title. However, the Spaniard’s deal expires in 2027 amid “fake news” exit rumors. Xabi Alonso’s tactical nous aligns with PSG’s post-galactico shift to collective pressing, crowned by their first Champions League triumph.
Enrique’s 4-3-3 morphs fluidly; Alonso’s variations with high lines and quick transitions could sustain it in the post-Mbappe era at PSG, leveraging talents like Ousmane Dembele and Desire Doue. Les Parisiens’ budget dwarfs rivals, enabling Bayer Leverkusen-style squad tweaks.
Risks include Enrique’s denial and PSG’s win-now culture, but Alonso’s youthful exuberance (44) and Real Madrid lessons in star management position him ideally. A summer opening post-World Cup could lure him to Parc des Princes.
Tottenham (Likelihood: 4/10 | Suitability: 7/10)
Thomas Frank’s time at Tottenham has been tough. Last season, Spurs finished 17th, and currently, they are 14th, with more losses than wins. Sacking Ange Postecoglou despite their UEFA Europa League win certainly has not gone down well.
Xabi Alonso shone at Bayer Leverkusen by beating stronger teams and overcoming steep odds. That is exactly the kind of manager Spurs want. The Spanish tactician is someone who can help them compete with the best teams in the country.
Frank’s team have been very poor on the defensive side of things, exactly what Alonso encountered at Real Madrid. However, his track record at Bayer Leverkusen suggests he could steady the ship. Meanwhile, it could be very difficult to lure him to the club if they do not have European football to offer. Other clubs liks Liverpool and Manchester City will certainly have the edge over Tottenham.
Bayern Munich (Likelihood: 6/10 | Suitability: 9/10)
Bayern Munich courted Xabi Alonso before Vincent Kompany’s arrival; now unbeaten and atop Bundesliga, the Belgian tactician has signed an extension running to 2029. The Bavarian giants are stable, but Xabi Alonso’s history as a player lingers. His Bundesliga mastery fits the Allianz Arena’s dominance demands.
Kompany’s form blocks any immediate moves, as Bayern Munich are eyeing a UEFA Champions League favourites status. Alonso can rebuild his reputation safely in Bavaria, leveraging ex-player pull after his Real Madrid fallout; no Galacticos, focused collective.
In the long run, a post-Kompany dip makes sense; as for the short-term future, patience is required. Bayern Munich’s resources and tactical culture echo Bayer Leverkusen’s success formula. Alonso’s path ahead hinges on timing. The situations surrounding Arne Slot, Thomas Frank, and Luis Enrique accelerate bids from Liverpool, Tottenham, and PSG.
His Real Madrid exit, player-driven despite solid stats, underscores growth in man-management, but the Bayer Leverkusen glow endures. Premier League clubs call the loudest, with Liverpool leading the charge. Wherever he goes, expect pressing revival and title pushes. Clubs must grant control the Real Madrid stars denied him; that will be the key to reigniting Europe’s hottest coaching prospect.
