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Former German defensive midfielder Didi Hamann shared his opinion when asked if Xabi Alonso can become Liverpool's manager in the future. The Spanish coach is currently in charge of Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen.
When asked about the potential chance of the former Real Madrid midfielder managing the Reds someday, Didi Hamann told TopOffshoreSportsBooks (via Daily Mirror):
"Can I see [Xabi] Alonso at Liverpool one day? Yeah, of course I can. But it's always a matter of timing. They just need to beat Bayern Munich to land Alonso - they will want him too but I back the Reds to seal his signature."
After manager Jurgen Klopp's departure from Anfield after a nine-year tenure, the Reds appointed Dutch coach Arne Slot earlier this summer. Xabi Alonso was also heavily linked with a return to Anfield but he decided to continue with Bayer Leverkusen.
About Arne Slot's managerial debut at the Reds, Didi Hamann said:
"Things happen very quickly in football. Maybe Liverpool end up needing a new manager at Christmas? Stranger things have happened. You wish Arne Slot all the best but if you have a bad start then fans can get upset and really and you never know, but I hope he is at Liverpool for years to come."
Arne Slot began his tenure at the Reds with a 1-0 defeat against Preston North End in a pre-season fixture at the AXA Training Centre on July 19.
Dirk Kuyt on Xabi Alonso rejecting Liverpool offer
Former Reds star Dirk Kuyt shared his opinion on Xabi Alonso declining the managerial job offer from the club earlier this summer. The former Dutch forward signed for the Premier League giants in 2006 and continued till 2012, winning the EFL Cup in 2011–12.
In an interview with Ladbrokes 1-2-Free, Dirk Kuyt addressed the former Real Madrid star's decision, and said (via Mirror):
"I didn't speak with Xabi [Alonso] about the Liverpool job earlier this year, so I don't know exactly what his thoughts on it were. But when a club like Liverpool is coming for you, as a manager, and you have history there as a former player... you have to be a real man to turn a club like Liverpool down."
Praising Alonso's accomplishments with Bayer Leverkusen last season, Dirk Kuyt added:
"But I think he did it with good reason. He is in the middle of making an unbelievable career, and what he achieved last season with Bayern Leverkusen was amazing. And I think he had a feeling that he was not finished with that job yet."
Xabi Alonso took charge of Bayer Leverkusen in 2022 after a three-year tenure coaching La Liga side Real Sociedad's B team. He led the squad to win the club's first Bundesliga title in 2023–24 while breaking Bayern Munich's 11-year league winning streak. This was also the club's first trophy since winning the 1992–93 DFB-Pokal and they did it without losing a single game.
Bayer Leverkusen also won the 2023–24 DFB-Pokal while ending up as runners-up in the UEFA Europa League after a 3-0 loss against Atalanta BC. Xabi Alonso, who was named the 2023–24 Bundesliga Coach of the Season, has his contract with the German club valid until 2026.
