Xabi Alonso ‘is a leading contender to take over at Tottenham’ with the Leverkusen boss’ star-studded CV putting him above Feyenoord’s Arne Slot’ with Daniel Levy also ‘wary about 35-year-old Julian Nagelsmann’s age’
- Alonso is reportedly the first choice to become Tottenham’s new manager
- Feyenoord boss Arne Slot has also been linked but Alonso holds an advantage
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Liverpool legend Xabi Alonso has emerged as the primary target for the Tottenham Hotspur job after an impressive season at Bayer Leverkusen.
This comes after Antonio Conte’s dismissal earlier in the season, followed by the sacking of interim head coach Cristian Stellini, leaving Ryan Mason in charge until the end of the season.
The 31-year-old has overseen two matches this season as Spurs came back from 2-0 down to draw with Manchester United before an entertaining 4-3 loss to Liverpool at Anfield.
After guiding Bayer Leverkusen into the semi-finals of the Europa League, Alonso is said to be the leading candidate for the vacant role at Tottenham, according to Dutch publication De Telegraaf.
The Spaniard is thought to hold an advantage over Feyenoord boss and fellow candidate Arne Slot, who has led his side to an eight-point lead at the top of the Eredivisie.
Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso is thought to be Tottenham’s ‘number one’ target
Feyenoord head coach Arne Slot is also in the running after an impressive season in Holland
Ryan Mason is in interim charge of the club, with the 31-year-old replacing Cristian Stellini
Slot has proven himself at both AZ Alkamaar and Feyenoord, building teams ‘from the ground up’, but with no experience in ‘a major competition’, and a lack of trophies to his name as of now, Alonso is leading the race.
Furthermore, Alonso’s ‘calibre’ during his playing days as a top midfielder is attractive to Tottenham as they seek a successor to Conte.
Alonso’s Leverkusen side sit sixth in the Bundesliga, having won 14 matches out of a possible 30 so far this season.
He has implemented an attractive style of attacking football, impressing as his fullbacks – in particular Jeremie Frimpong, are key to his success.
However, no contacts have been made at the moment at Slot remains in the running despite Alonso leading the race.
Slot is said to be ‘convinced’ that he can implement his philosophy at any club in the Premier League if handed the opportunity to do so, but it appears that Alonso will be approached before the Dutch manager.
Feyenoord are keen to keep Slot for another season and could increase his salary to do so, allowing him to impress in the Champions League with his side next season to further aid his chances of landing a job in England.
Slot was a previous candidate for the Leeds United role but opted to remain in the Eredivisie rather than join the relegation-battling side, who are set to appoint Sam Allardyce as their head coach for the remaining four matches of the season.
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