Xabi Alonso continues to be linked with a return to Anfield, but Stephen Warnock feels that it’s more about nostalgia than the Spaniard’s credentials.
For now, Arne Slot remains in place as Liverpool manager, even after the 2-1 defeat to Wolves dropped them down to sixth in the table. There are no immediate plans for a change.
But with Slot’s long-term future still up in the air, Alonso keeps coming up in conversation. Even so, Warnock has his doubts about whether bringing him back would be the right move.
Stephen Warnock casts doubt over Xabi Alonso as the right fit to replace Arne Slot
Speaking to the BBC, Warnock was asked about the prospect of Alonso stepping in to take over from Slot.
He said: “I’m not too sure whether that’s the right decision – that’s more of a nostalgia thing where people want that romance.”
“At Real Madrid the football wasn’t fantastic, but he had a very difficult changing room and tried to change the culture.”
Alonso has been without a club since leaving Madrid. Despite Warnock’s reservations, Fabrizio Romano has previously stated that Alonso will “for sure” be considered by Liverpool if and when they part ways with Slot.
If it happens, it won’t be the first time Liverpool have sounded him out for the role.
Xabi Alonso turned down Liverpool job before Arne Slot was hired
Jurgen Klopp’s nine-year stay at Liverpool ended after the 2023/24 season, with the club turning to Arne Slot as his successor.
Before settling on Slot, FSG actually made contact with Alonso about the role when he was still impressing in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
He spoke out about the potential move in June 2024, and said: “All these decisions, they need to be thorough”.
“You need to really think about them. And it was more about what I had, not what I’m missing. For sure, my bond with Liverpool is there and it’s still there. So there’s no, any kind of issue with that.”
His decision made sense at the time considering how well things were going for him in Germany. Now that he’s out of a job though, his outlook might be different.
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