Wayne Veysey

Thu 15 February 2024 13:23, UK

Liverpool could now lose out to Real Madrid in the race for first-choice manager target Xabi Alonso, sources have told Football Insider.

New whispers coming from Germany suggest Alonso, 42, could remain at Bayer Leverkusen next season if they win the Bundesliga title this term.

Leverkusen sporting director Simon Rolfes has even insisted he is “sure” the Spaniard will stay.

If Alonso remains in Germany past this summer, a well-placed source has told Football Insider that a move to Real Madrid is likely to be the best pathway for his managerial career – with current Los Blancos coach Carlo Ancelotti out of contract in 2026.

Football Insider revealed on 27 January that the ex-Real, Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder has a clause in his Leverkusen contract allowing him to leave for any of his former clubs.

Liverpool will need to appoint a new boss in the off-season after Jurgen Klopp confirmed he will leave the club at the end of the 2023-24 campaign.

Liverpool could miss out on “number one choice” Alonso

A well-placed source told Football Insider on 28 January that Alonso is the “number one choice” to succeed the legendary German in the Anfield hot seat.

Strong rumours from England and Germany have even suggested the Merseysiders and owners Fenway Sports Group have already approached the Spaniard about taking the job.

But the focus for Alonso will currently be on winning a first-ever Bundesliga for Leverkusen – who are unbeaten in all competitions so far in the 2023-24 campaign.

The North Rhine-Westphalia outfit are five points clear of second-place Bayern Munich after beating them 3-0 last week (10 February).

Liverpool sit top of the Premier League but have played one game more than title rivals Man City.

In other news, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s new Liverpool contract demands revealed.

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