Liverpool icon Steve McManaman believes Xabi Alonso does not see Anfield as his dream managerial destination.
Alonso, who has seen unrivalled success with Bayer Leverkusen this season, recently turned down the chance to become Jurgen Klopp’s successor on Merseyside.
The Black and Reds are still unbeaten this season and remain on track to complete a stunning Treble, with the Bundesliga title merely a formality as we reach the latter stages.
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Liverpool have since turned their approach elsewhere with Sporting Lisbon boss Ruben Amorim now the outright to take over this summer.
But McManaman has since explained why he believes Alonso snubbed the Reds' recent advances, given he still has property over in Spain.
"I don’t know for sure but the Real Madrid job will always be on the horizon, McManaman told Betfred.
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"Xabi has a house out in Madrid and has history at the club.
"If Carlo Ancelotti is going to step down next year, it’s another year for Xabi to get experience under his belt and that move wouldn’t surprise me whatsoever.
"However, in a years’ time, you have no idea what will be happening at Bayern Munich and elsewhere.
"Are Paris Saint-Germain going to be looking for a new manager? Is Pep Guardiola going to be at Manchester City in two years time? You just never know.”
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Leverkusen’s expansive brand of football has drawn plaudits from all over Europe and players such as Alexander Grimaldo and Jeremie Frimpong have continually been linked with moves away from the BayArena.
McManaman also added how Alonso has the chance to etch himself into German football folklore this season and has backed him to do so.
"I think it’s the right decision for Xabi to remain with Bayer Leverkusen for another year and put the rumours to bed for the time being,” he added.
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"Now he can concentrate on winning the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal.
"He’s got a great chance of winning a domestic double when you consider that Leverkusen are coming up against Kaiserslautern, who are in the second tier of German football.
"He’s got a great opportunity to create history at Bayer Leverkusen and the pressure will definitely be on him next year, but he’s learning all the time and that’s what we should let him do."
Topics: Liverpool, Xabi Alonso, Football
Matthew Holt