Reportedly, Barcelona have joined the competition to secure the managerial talents of Xabi Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen. The Catalan club is currently in search of a new head coach, with Xavi announcing his departure at the end of the season, prompted by their inconsistent performance, notably highlighted by a recent 5-3 loss to Villarreal.
Barcelona’s disappointing standings in La Liga, coupled with exits from the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Super Cup, have fueled their urgency to find a capable leader for the next season, despite still being in contention in the Champions League. Thomas Tuchel of Bayern Munich has been mentioned as a potential candidate, along with other renowned coaches like Jurgen Klopp, Hansi Flick, and Julian Nagelsmann. However, reports suggest that Barcelona’s attention is turning towards Alonso, who has garnered praise for his coaching prowess in Europe.
Alonso has steered Bayer Leverkusen to an impressive unbeaten streak in all 31 competitive matches this season, leading them to a comfortable lead atop the Bundesliga table and significant progress in both the DFB-Pokal and Europa League. His tactical acumen has caught the eye of Barcelona’s board members, who are contemplating an early move to secure his services, especially amidst interest from Liverpool.
Despite Alonso’s strong candidacy, Leverkusen’s director, Simon Rolfes, remains confident that Alonso will continue as their head coach for the next season. However, there are uncertainties surrounding Alonso’s willingness to join Barcelona, given his past affiliation with their arch-rivals, Real Madrid, where he enjoyed a successful playing career, winning multiple major trophies.