Real Madrid have placed former Chelsea and Liverpool managers on their shortlist to replace Xabi Alonso.

Alonso lasted less than eight months as Real Madrid manager before being dismissed on Monday afternoon, less than 24 hours after losing to rivals Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup.

The 44-year-old leaves with Los Blancos second in the La Liga table, just four points behind their Clasico rivals.

The legendary Spain midfielder enjoyed a good start upon his return to Madrid but the team’s form dipped over the winter, winning seven of the last 14 games across all competitions.

Perhaps more pressingly, Alonso had a tense relationship with several key players, including Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, with the latter unwilling to commit his future to Real while Alonso was in the dugout.

Real youth team coach Alvaro Arbeloa had been placed in temporary charge of the side, with the Spanish giants beginning their search for a new full-time coach midway through the season.

According to French outlet Foot Mercato, Real have identified former Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp as their ‘dream’ target to replace Alonso at the Bernabeu.

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