Manchester United have been encouraged to pursue Xabi Alonso as their next permanent manager after the former Liverpool midfielder left Real Madrid.
Xabi Alonso could become Manchester United manager in the summer (Image: Jose Hernandez/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Manchester United have been urged to consider Xabi Alonso as their next permanent manager this summer. Alonso is currently unemployed after parting ways with Real Madrid, and the club have confirmed this.
Real Madrid announced that Alonso’s departure from the Santiago Bernabéu was “mutually agreed”, a decision taken less than a day after the club lost 3-2 to arch-rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
Alonso only took over at Madrid last summer following the departure of Carlo Ancelotti, and the club have already named former Liverpool defender Alvaro Arbeloa as his successor.
Before joining Real, Alonso was briefly linked with a potential move to Liverpool’s top job in 2024, before the Reds selected Arne Slott as their new head coach.
According to the Manchester Evening News, United have been looking for a new manager since Ruben Amorim left last week, with Michael Carrick expected to take over temporarily until the end of the season.
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Alonso’s five-year spell at Liverpool has sparked rumors of a return to Anfield, but sports broadcaster Richard Keys believes United should not be deterred and has urged them to make a move for the former Real manager this summer.
“Perfect. United should move heaven and earth to appoint (Xavi) Alonso,” Keys wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“And don’t say his time at Liverpool excludes him. (Sir Matt) Busby played for them and (Manchester) City.”
Alonso previously spoke about his ties to Liverpool when he appeared for the Merseyside club in a charity match in 2022.
“Once it’s red, it’s always red,” Alonso said at the time. “I think it’s not a logo, it’s reality. I think it’s not just my case, but most people feel very close to the club.
“No matter where you are in the world, Liverpool fans remember you and make you feel closer to the club. That’s the best thing about Liverpool. All the support and family around the world.”
The Red Devils will be hoping to have Carrick on the touchline for United’s Premier League derby against Manchester City this Saturday.
Following Amorim’s departure, Darren Fletcher took up an interim role at United, overseeing a 1–1 stalemate with Burnley in the Premier League before defeat at the hands of Brighton in the third round of the FA Cup.
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