Xabi Alonso has left the door open to a future reunion with Liverpool after admitting he would welcome another spell in the Premier League and reaffirming his enduring connection with the club where he once starred. The Real Madrid head coach is currently under increasing scrutiny at the Santiago Bernabéu, just seven months into his reign.
Pressure is mounting as Madrid prepare to host Manchester City in a crucial Champions League tie on Wednesday night. With only two wins from their last six matches in all competitions and a recent home defeat to Celta Vigo, Alonso has faced growing questions about his authority within a powerful dressing room.
Reports suggest some senior figures are unconvinced by his methods, leaving the former midfielder fighting early to solidify his position. As a result, his pre-match press conference ahead of the City clash quickly turned into an interrogation about Madrid’s form and his long-term future.
Alonso left Liverpool in 2009 but emerged as a leading candidate to succeed Jürgen Klopp when the German stepped down in 2024. He ultimately opted to remain at Bayer Leverkusen for another season, but with Arne Slot now also coming under pressure at Anfield, speculation has resurfaced.
When asked directly about a potential return to English football, Alonso did little to shut the rumours down.
“There is always a connection with my former club,” he admitted. “But right now, this is where I am. What happens in the future, we’ll see.”
The Spaniard was also quizzed about Mohamed Salah’s headline-making interview following Liverpool’s draw at Leeds United, where the forward claimed he was being made a scapegoat and hinted at a possible January exit.
Although Salah has since been left out of Liverpool’s Champions League squad for the trip to Inter Milan, Alonso declined to be drawn into the controversy.
“That decision belongs to Liverpool,” he said. “We don’t know all the details, and I don’t think it’s my place to comment.”
Those questions briefly diverted attention from Alonso’s own situation, as he faced repeated enquiries about whether he still has the full backing of his players and the club hierarchy. Asked bluntly if the squad still supports him, Alonso responded with a simple but firm: “Yes.”
On his relationship with club president Florentino Pérez and the board, he added:
“We are in constant communication. There is unity, and we are facing this together. My relationship with them is good.”
Throughout the media session, Alonso repeatedly tried to redirect focus to the looming Champions League showdown, describing the match against Manchester City as an “opportunity” rather than a threat.
The 44-year-old, who previously worked under Pep Guardiola at Bayern Munich, remains wary but confident despite changes within City’s squad this season.
“It’s still Pep’s team,” Alonso explained. “He’s been there for nine years, through different phases and different squads. Some players have come and gone this year, but their identity is still very clear after all this time.”
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