{"id":1871,"date":"2026-04-28T19:55:06","date_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:55:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1871"},"modified":"2026-04-28T19:55:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-28T19:55:06","slug":"man-united-told-to-appoint-xabi-alonso-as-their-next-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=1871","title":{"rendered":"Man United told to appoint Xabi Alonso as their next manager"},"content":{"rendered":"


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As it stands, Xabi Alonso is currently the most heavily coveted free agent in world football. <\/strong><\/p>\n

The 44-year-old has been out of work since January, following a rather chaotic seven-month stint as head coach of Real Madrid.<\/p>\n

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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 Vin\u00edcius J\u00fanior.<\/p>\n

His tenure ultimately ended by mutual consent just a day after a crushing 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final.<\/p>\n

But make no mistake, that brief Spanish misadventure hasn\u2019t dented his stock one bit.<\/p>\n

Xabi Alonso is high in-demand this summer<\/h2>\n

The tactical genius who masterminded Bayer Leverkusen\u2019s historic 2024 Bundesliga title is still seen as the ultimate dream appointment for many clubs.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s hierarchy.<\/p>\n

Football pundit Alan Pardew has suggested to Man United to appoint Alonso as their next manager.<\/p>\n

Pardew has told talkSPORT that United should hire Alonso in the summer \u2018if he isn\u2019t going to Liverpool.\u2019<\/p>\n

He explained: \u201cIf you are going to look at a financial situation, Alonso isn\u2019t going to cost you a transfer fee.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cTaking all of his staff would all be involved with a new contract, with a new club. There\u2019s a real window of opportunity.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cI think they\u2019re going to have to make a big call in the summer. Slot has had a strange season.<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cHe could still end up in the Champions League. So is that enough with the injuries and the problems that he\u2019s had?<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cSo that\u2019s an interesting one, but if he isn\u2019t going to Liverpool, I think Man United should be interested.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

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Can Man United take the gamble on Alonso?<\/h2>\n

If INEOS could somehow pull off the impossible, Alonso\u2019s tactical philosophy could actually be a phenomenal fit for the current squad profile at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

During his dominant spell at Leverkusen, Alonso heavily favored a back-three system.<\/p>\n

Man United is currently stacked with capable center-backs who thrive in a back-three but often struggle in a traditional two-man pairing.<\/p>\n

Alonso\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

Given how quickly Alonso\u2019s dressing room at Real Madrid reportedly fractured after just seven months, throwing him into the intense spotlight of Man United comes with considerable risks.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Man United ready to take advantage of Tottenham uncertainty by targeting midfielder <\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

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