XABI ALONSO is claimed to have a plan ahead of a dream of managing European giants.
The Bayer Leverkusen manager is one of the hottest prospects in European football at the moment.
Alonso, 42, has been tipped to be the frontrunner for the Liverpool job following Jurgen Klopp’s summer exit.
The Spaniard has also been linked with jobs at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich in the past.
However, those clubs could be in Alonso’s sights is said to have a “secret” plan.
Spanish reporter Guillem Balagué has revealed that Alonso told his agent that he would go back to Real Sociedad if it did not “go well”.
The retired midfielder was a coach at the LaLiga club as he took charge of the B team between 2019 and 2022.
It looks unlikely that Alonso will be returning to Spain with his side challenging for the Bundesliga title.
Balagué has insisted that Alonso will be eyeing up a big job for when he leaves Bayer Leverkusen.
He also suggested that Manchester City could also view Alonso as a potential replacement for Pep Guardiola
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He told the BBC’s The Football News Show: “I’ll tell you a little secret.
“When he went to Bayer Leverkusen, he told his agent ‘do you know what, I am thinking that if it doesn’t go well at Bayer Leverkusen, I’ll go back to Real Sociedad’.
“But if it goes well, from here, it’s Liverpool, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich.
“Let me add Manchester City to the equation and that’s where Xabi Alonso could go next.
“When, is a different matter.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona have also been reported to be interested in making a move for him.
Current boss Xavi Hernandez, like Klopp, has announced he will step down from managing in the summer.
His current deal at the BayArena runs until 2025, and he could have plenty of offers should he wait an extra year.
Guardiola’s deal expires at the Etihad that year as does Carlo Ancelotti’s at Real Madrid.
However, Liverpool will likely be keen to appoint the long-term successor to Klopp this summer rather than wait a year.
