FC Barcelona is reportedly eyeing Xabi Alonso as a potential replacement for their current head coach, Xavi Hernandez. According to SPORT, the club is dreaming of appointing Alonso to fill the shoes of the legendary Xavi, who will be stepping down from his role on June 30.
President Joan Laporta has shown admiration for the German school of managers and coaches, with names like Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, Thomas Tuchel, Julen Nagelsmann, and Joachim Low being linked to the Camp Nou hotseat since Laporta assumed the presidency in March 2021. However, there is another name that has caught the attention of the Barca board, and that is Xabi Alonso.
Alonso, currently coaching Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga, has been making waves in German football. His team is currently leading the league by five points and recently defeated reigning champions Bayern Munich 3-0. It is speculated that this could be Alonso's last season at Bayer Leverkusen, which has attracted the interest of Europe's top clubs.
While Klopp has also been linked to Barcelona, Alonso's history with Liverpool, where he spent nine years as a player, could give him an advantage in securing the job at Anfield. Similarly, his five-year stint at Real Madrid could open doors for him at the Bernabeu. However, Barcelona could deal a double blow to their rivals by snatching up Alonso before either Liverpool or Real Madrid have the chance.
Despite concerns raised by some regarding Alonso's previous affiliation with Real Madrid, as his father had played for Barcelona in the 1980s, there is a belief that his childhood ties to Catalonia could outweigh any hesitation. Additionally, as a former Bayern Munich player, it is not out of the question for Alonso to remain in Germany and potentially take charge at the Allianz Arena before making a move to Spain or England.
As the speculation surrounding Xabi Alonso's next step intensifies, it remains to be seen whether he will join the likes of Klopp, Flick, Tuchel, Nagelsmann, or Low as a potential candidate for the FC Barcelona head coach position. In any case, the decision could have far-reaching consequences, not only for Barcelona but also for their rivals in the footballing world.
