Xabi Alonso could be a potential successor to Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, but one former Premier League midfielder has outlined a scenario where the Spaniard refuses the role.
Pep Guardiola has done a terrific job as the Manchester City manager and it will be difficult for anyone to match his contributions to the club over the past decade.
The legendary boss has lifted the Premier League trophy an astonishing six times and he is also a Champions League and Club World Cup winner with his current team.
However, all good stories come to an end and Guardiola is not expected to renew his contract when it expires next year.
In fact, there are even fears that the Catalan-born mastermind could walk away from City at the end of this season, forcing the club to search for a new manager.
Emmanuel Petit claims Xabi Alonso would choose Liverpool over Man City
Should Guardiola choose to bid the Etihad Stadium farewell this summer, Xabi Alonso is a manager who City could look to approach.
The 44-year-old did an exceptional job at Bayer Leverkusen, but lost his most recent role as the Real Madrid head coach following some poor results.
Despite this, former Arsenal icon Emmanuel Petit has suggested Alonso would choose to return to Liverpool over Manchester City, were the option to arise.
He told Ignition Casino: “If Xabi Alonso has the chance to come back to Liverpool, even if the door is open at Man City, I’m pretty sure he would join Liverpool.
“He has a connection to Liverpool. He’s been a player over there and he won trophies over there. He failed at Real Madrid but that has been the case for many managers over there.
“I think if he has the chance to join the Premier League, Liverpool would be the perfect club for him. It’s like Mikel Arteta’s connection to Arsenal, it would mean he wouldn’t consider joining Manchester City even when Pep Guardiola leaves.”
Liverpool may not need Alonso
Petit may have a point about Alonso preferring a move back to Liverpool, but the Premier League title holders might not be looking for a new manager.
Arne Slot has not had the best season, but his team still have a good chance to progress in the Champions League and finish in the top four of the English top flight.
Considering the Dutchman won the league in his first season at the Reds, sacking him would be extremely harsh and there is certainly no guarantee this will happen. Therefore, Man City could end up being the frontrunners to secure Alonso if Guardiola does decide to call it a day.
