Xabi Alonso’s Bundesliga return? Eintracht Frankfurt eyes shock move for the former Real Madrid boss

Information is beginning to gain significant traction in Germany regarding a potential "bombshell" return to the Bundesliga for Xabi Alonso. According to reports from the German outlet Bild, the Eintracht Frankfurt board is heavily considering the Spanish strategist to lead their new project following the dismissal of Dino Toppmöller, which was officially announced this Sunday, January 18, 2026.

The timing could not be more intriguing. Xabi Alonso is currently a free agent after his sudden and controversial exit from Real Madrid just six days ago. His departure from the "White House" came on the heels of a 3-2 loss to FC Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Jeddah, ending an eight-month tenure that left many Madridistas stunned. Now, the man who performed miracles with Bayer Leverkusen is being touted as the savior for a Frankfurt side in crisis.

Eintracht's Sporting Director, Markus Krösche, is known for his ambitious and calculated moves in the transfer market. According to the latest leaks, Krösche is desperate to hold a face-to-face meeting with the Tolosa native to gauge his availability and interest.

Krösche believes that Alonso brings more than just tactical acumen; he brings the prestige, personality, and a clearly defined playing style that the club has lacked since the departure of Oliver Glasner. The goal is to see if Alonso is ready to "rebound" immediately after his Spanish ordeal or if he prefers a sabbatical.

The catalyst for this managerial change was Friday's thrilling but ultimately disappointing 3-3 draw against Werder Bremen. While the attack showed sparks, the defensive performance was the final nail in the coffin for Dino Toppmöller.

Statistically, this Eintracht side is in freefall. Having conceded 39 goals in just 18 matches, they currently possess one of the most vulnerable backlines in the entire Bundesliga. For a club that finished third last season and is currently competing in the UEFA Champions League, sitting in seventh place with such a porous defense is unacceptable for the board. The pressure of balancing European competition with domestic struggles proved too much for Toppmöller, whose contract had previously been extended until 2028.

While Xabi Alonso is the "dream" candidate, Eintracht Frankfurt is not putting all its eggs in one basket. The club is reportedly monitoring several high-profile coaches who are currently without a club:

The biggest obstacle in this operation is the perceived status of the job. Before joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2025, Xabi Alonso was the most wanted man in world football, with Liverpool and Bayern Munich aggressively pursuing him.

Taking the Frankfurt job could be viewed as a professional retreat. However, Eintracht has one major ace up its sleeve: Champions League football. Unlike other mid-tier clubs, the "Eagles" can offer Alonso a platform to continue competing at the highest level of European football immediately.

For Alonso, this might be the perfect opportunity to prove that his "identity-less" stint at Madrid was a fluke and that his Leverkusen-style dominance can be replicated. For Frankfurt, landing Xabi would be the biggest statement of intent in the club's modern history.