Well the backroom staff thing was a no-brainer. Rafa has just gained control of the academy so many would be ousted, and many of the first team coaches are out of contract, so don't be surprised to see Rafa bringing in a few new faces to the backroom staff, as well as many looking for a fresh challenge.



As for Alonso, never heard that off anybody and you do get some stupendous rumours about. Alonso has always stated he's happy at Liverpool and loves the City, however, a move to Real could be likely if he decides to ask for a move away, after last summer, and Xabi having 5 years at Liverpool, he may want a fresh challenge.



That's one of his possible replacements ruled out, though. Not sure who we could get to replace Alonso, there aren't many better [iavailable[/i

Will there be anyone left in Spain by the time Benno has finished?

thank the lord jesus christ for that perhaps the gutter press can now put to bed the alonso to make way for barry crap that they have benn spouting lately...................really it would be like selling a mercedes and buying a lada.

rafa has again reiterated that xabi is staying with us....................

Most of the reports I've seen have suggested they'd both be at Liverpool.

Lada?

You lot were wetting yourselves when you thought he was going to sign for you last year and possibly this summer. Don't try and make out he's pish now ya cheeky beggar.

Erm, didn't Liverpool's manager try to make that happen last summer?

Anything for those gobes to justify singing "who's that dying on the runway" while popping blow up balloons.

I'll hold my hand up and say I was in the pro-Barry camp last summer. I was disappointed with Alonso for a few seasons, I thought he struggled with the tempo and had two mediocre seasons on the bounce, but his form this year completely swayed me into the pro-Xabi camp, he's proved his worth this year and although I maintain Barry is a great player, Alonso is better.



As for Rafa reiterating Alonso is staying, I know he has, but I still believe if Real offered 30m+ Euro's, Alonso would be a Madrid player.

BB's not that daft, you've probably taken some bait that was mean't for me.



Cahill has been class this season, no wonder the bigger Clubs are showing interest.

unfortunately he did, but i am certain that the vast majority of fans (me included) were dead set against the move.

I think it's quite clear Billy is envious of The Trotters











We recently signed a former Barca youth coach to be one of the heads at our academy, he had a very impressive CV, can't quite remember his name, used to manage in Greece I think, Segura or something his name was.

Denilson, once the most expensive player in world football, former Betis, Bordeaux and Sao Paulo, Brazilian world cup winning midfielder has joined Vietnamese club Xi Mang Hai Phong Cement.





It's a bit of a step down, but great signing for the club.