Journalist Ryan Taylor has suggested that the appointment of Xabi Alonso as Tottenham Hotspur’s next manager could potentially persuade Harry Kane to stay at the club.
With Julian Nagelsmann no longer in contention for the managerial position at Spurs, the club is actively searching for a new manager. Names such as Vincent Kompany, Arne Slot, Julen Lopetegui, and Frank Thomas have been linked with the job.
Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool and Real Madrid player who currently manages Bayer Leverkusen, is also reportedly a candidate for the Tottenham job.
Alonso has done an exceptional job at Leverkusen and has guided the team to the semifinals of the UEFA Europa League this season. The team’s impressive performances have also been reflected in their current seventh-place position in the German league.
According to a report in The Mirror last week, Tottenham are willing to pay Alonso’s release clause to secure his services, as Leverkusen would be reluctant to let him leave otherwise. The cost for Spurs would be one year of Alonso’s salary at Leverkusen.
Meanwhile, speculation surrounding Harry Kane’s future continues, with Manchester United being considered front-runners for his signature. PSG has also emerged as a potential destination, with reports suggesting that the French club has held discussions with Kane’s representatives.
Despite the uncertainty, Ryan Taylor believes that Xabi Alonso’s appointment could excite Kane and potentially sway his decision.
Taylor suggests that Alonso’s forward-thinking approach and respected status in the game might be appealing to the England striker. However, Kane’s desire to win trophies and his previous experiences under different managers may also influence his decision.
He told GiveMeSport:
“It depends really. Obviously, he wants to win trophies, but at the same time, you could also launch a counter-argument for that as he’s had Conte, he’s had José Mourinho, he’s had Mauricio Pochettino and still not won a trophy.
“So it depends on what he wants to do, if he’s happy to stay, I think someone like Xabi Alonso might actually excite him. I think it’s clear Alonso is a forward-thinking manager with fresh ideas, and he’s well respected in the game.”
As Tottenham continues its search for a new manager, finding the right candidate who can inspire and excite Kane may play a crucial role in determining the striker’s future at the club.
