Xabi Alonso’s Journey: From Bundesliga Glory to Premier League Aspirations

Xabi Alonso experienced a meteoric rise in his managerial career after leading Bayer Leverkusen to Bundesliga title glory, completing the 2023-24 season undefeated in the German top flight. Following this remarkable achievement, expectations were that he would not linger for long in his role.

In the summer of 2025, the World Cup-winning former Spain international seized the opportunity to return to his homeland, reuniting with Real Madrid, where he had previously made 236 appearances as a player. However, his tenure did not unfold as anticipated, reportedly leading to clashes with key players like Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham, which culminated in him being unceremoniously dismissed from the club. Alonso now finds himself out of work, awaiting enticing offers.

According to The Times, the former Liverpool midfielder is eager to explore opportunities in the Premier League, having spent five fruitful years at Anfield, during which he celebrated FA Cup and Champions League victories. Speculation about a potential reunion with Liverpool has surfaced, particularly in light of uncertainty surrounding the future of current manager Arne Slot. However, Alonso is reportedly taking a step back, planning to rest and evaluate any offers that may arise starting in June.

This comes amidst discussions about Alonso being a possible candidate for the managerial position at Tottenham Hotspur, where Thomas Frank is currently under significant pressure just months into his tenure. Reports indicate that the Spurs management is committed to giving Frank time, empathetic to the challenges he’s facing, including a lack of leadership and experience within the squad, injuries to key players, and off-field disruptions.

Despite these challenges, discontent among fans has grown, particularly following a string of poor performances, with only three wins from the last 15 matches. During a recent 2-1 home defeat to West Ham, chants of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” were directed at Frank, reflecting the mounting frustration.

Moreover, it is suggested that the club is hesitant to make mid-season managerial changes due to fears that the wrong appointment could jeopardize their standing, as they currently sit 14th in the Premier League table, 10 points above the relegation zone. There is an internal acknowledgment that interim managerial appointments have historically not yielded positive results, leading to a desire to avoid such a scenario again.

Alonso appears disinterested in resuming managerial duties imminently and is unlikely to respond to urgent calls from Spurs. Similarly, Mauricio Pochettino, who has openly expressed a desire to return to Tottenham, is currently occupied with his responsibilities as head coach of the United States Men’s National Team in preparation for the upcoming World Cup.

In an open letter to fans included in the club’s matchday programme, Spurs’ chief executive Vinai Venkatesham addressed the situation, stating, “We all feel the gap between where we are and where we want to be, and while we know progress takes time, we share your impatience to close it. Our supporters want wins and performances to be proud of, and we know the men’s first team has fallen short of where we want to be so far this season.”

While efforts are underway to rectify these issues, it is clear that Alonso will not be part of this process as Frank is given the opportunity to right the ship and demonstrate that a successor may not be necessary in 2026.