Real Madrid have sent shockwaves through European football by sacking Xabi Alonso, ending his tenure at the Santiago Bernabeu prematurely.
Despite arriving with a reputation as the continent’s brightest young tactical mind, a run of indifferent results and friction with the board has led President Florentino Pérez to pull the trigger.
However, the Spaniard is unlikely to be out of work for long, with Premier League giants already circling.
Man United on high alert as they search for permanent manager
Manchester United officials are already on ‘high alert’ following the news of Alonso’s availability.
The Red Devils are currently in a state of flux, reportedly closing in on club legend Michael Carrick to take over as caretaker manager until the end of the season.
While Carrick is seen as the safe pair of hands needed to stabilize the ship immediately, the INEOS hierarchy is firmly focused on the summer.
Alonso will now among the primary targets to lead the next phase of the INEOS project.
However, bringing Alonso to Old Trafford will not be straightforward.
It is suggested that Jason Wilcox, United’s Technical Director, will need to convince the former midfielder that the structure at United is ready for him.
The allure of rebuilding United is strong, but Alonso will demand assurances over control and transfer strategy before agreeing to any move.
Liverpool also keen on Xabi Alonso
United will face stiff competition from Alonso’s former club, Liverpool.
Pressure is reportedly mounting on current boss Arne Slot after a poor season, and the availability of Alonso, who was heavily linked with the Anfield job before joining Madrid, changes the landscape significantly.
Liverpool holds a distinct ace card in negotiations: the presence of Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong.
The duo, who were instrumental in Alonso’s historic unbeaten run at Bayer Leverkusen, are now key figures at Anfield.
The prospect of reuniting with his former lieutenants, combined with his emotional connection to the Kop, could make Liverpool the more appealing destination.
With two of England’s biggest clubs potentially vying for his signature, the battle for Alonso is set to dominate the headlines leading into the summer.
