As it stands, Xabi Alonso is currently the most heavily coveted free agent in world football.
The 44-year-old has been out of work since January, following a rather chaotic seven-month stint as head coach of Real Madrid.
Despite winning 10 of his first 11 games in charge at the Bernabeu, things quickly unravelled due to reported fallouts with senior players, including a highly publicised spat with Vinícius Júnior.
His tenure ultimately ended by mutual consent just a day after a crushing 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.
But make no mistake, that brief Spanish misadventure hasn’t dented his stock one bit.
Xabi Alonso is high in-demand this summer
The tactical genius who masterminded Bayer Leverkusen’s historic 2024 Bundesliga title is still seen as the ultimate dream appointment for many clubs.
Manchester United and Chelsea are both looking for new managers. As for Liverpool, it has been reported that Arne Slot still retains the confidence of the club’s hierarchy.
Football pundit Alan Pardew has suggested to Man United to appoint Alonso as their next manager.
Pardew has told talkSPORT that United should hire Alonso in the summer ‘if he isn’t going to Liverpool.’
He explained: “If you are going to look at a financial situation, Alonso isn’t going to cost you a transfer fee.
“Taking all of his staff would all be involved with a new contract, with a new club. There’s a real window of opportunity.
“I think they’re going to have to make a big call in the summer. Slot has had a strange season.
“He could still end up in the Champions League. So is that enough with the injuries and the problems that he’s had?
“So that’s an interesting one, but if he isn’t going to Liverpool, I think Man United should be interested.”
Can Man United take the gamble on Alonso?
If INEOS could somehow pull off the impossible, Alonso’s tactical philosophy could actually be a phenomenal fit for the current squad profile at Old Trafford.
During his dominant spell at Leverkusen, Alonso heavily favored a back-three system.
Man United is currently stacked with capable center-backs who thrive in a back-three but often struggle in a traditional two-man pairing.
Alonso’s preferred 3-4-2-1 setup perfectly accommodates central playmakers. United lack out-and-out touchline wingers but boasts several quality number 10s who could easily thrive in those inverted half-spaces.
Given how quickly Alonso’s dressing room at Real Madrid reportedly fractured after just seven months, throwing him into the intense spotlight of Man United comes with considerable risks.
With Michael Carrick already restoring harmony and other top managers available, INEOS would be much wiser to pursue someone without ties to their fiercest rivals.
Man United ready to take advantage of Tottenham uncertainty by targeting midfielder
Which of Man Utd’s CBs excels in a back 3? Certainly not the group that was shipping goals left and right under Amorim while playing a back 3. Also, which Man Utd players excel at the wing back position? Which CMs can hold down the midfield in a 2? None of them.
Xabi would be a waste of time, as contrary to what is said in this article, Man Utd don’t have the personnel at all to play 3 at the back. Its pretty damning considering that’s what they were trying to set up last summer, and failed completely. If the squad didn’t suit Amorim, it certainly won’t suit Alonso.
Sincerely, what Manchester United lacks at the moment is a pair of clinical forwards—strikers or wingers capable of delivering 20 goals or more in a season. Regardless of whether Carrick stays or departs, competing seriously in both the Premier League and the Champions League will remain an uphill battle without that level of firepower.
If the club is looking for emerging talents with genuine end product, Mika Godts and Kee Smit should be high on their radar. These two young attackers possess the ability to score 15 to 20 goals per season, while also creating chances, carrying the ball with confidence, and dictating play in the final third. Their combination of technical quality, composure, and goal threat could provide exactly the spark United has been missing.