Xabi Alonso's 'Liverpool agreement' explained

Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso has an agreement with the Bundesliga side to leave should one of his former clubs makes an approach.

The ex-Liverpool midfielder, who spent five years at Anfield between 2004 and 2009, has impressed at Leverkusen since taking over as head coach last year.

The 41-year-old inherited a team threatened with a relegation battle, but lifted them to a sixth-placed finish in 2022/23 as well as reaching the semi-finals of the Europa League.

As a reward for his strong start, Alonso was awarded with a contract extension until 2026 earlier this year.

His position at Leverkusen is only the 2010 World Cup winner's second senior managerial role, after spending three years at Real Sociedad B, who he helped win promotion in 2021.

An eye-catching start to his nascent coaching career has drawn plenty of admirers, with Liverpool touted as a possible destination for the former playmaker when Jurgen Klopp finally leaves.

READ MORE: The contenders to replace Jurgen Klopp when he eventually leaves Liverpool – ranked

According to SportBILD (via Sport Witness), Liverpool would be met with little resistance if they were to make a move for Alonso.

The report claims that Alonso even has an agreement at Leverkusen which would allow him to leave next summer without breaking contract if one of his former clubs, including Liverpool, were to make an approach.

It is added that the Leverkusen bosses are determined to do everything possible to keep Alonso happy, having been impressed by his fine start and coaching methods.

This not the first time the agreement has been mentioned, with the same publication reporting the existence of a deal back in August.

Whether the understanding that Alonso has with his bosses is an official clause or simply a gentleman's agreement is unclear, as it whether the terms of the deal extends beyond next summer.

Liverpool are extremely unlikely to be searching for a new manager any time soon, with Klopp also under contract until 2026.

It is currently far more likely that Alonso will be approached by another former club in Real Madrid, who have reportedly 'chosen' the former playmaker as their next manager for when Carlo Ancelotti departs at the end of the current season.

Having joined Real Madrid from Liverpool in 2009, Alonso spent five years in the Spanish capital, winning the 2014 Champions League. He also began his coaching career with Los Blancos' Under-14s side.