Xabi Alonso is gearing up for a return to management.Sources close to the Spaniard have indicated he is looking to get back to work after being sacked by Real Madrid in January.Alonso is ready to return to the dugout amid links with a return to former club LiverpoolGettyThe Liverpool legend and Bundesliga title-winning coach with Bayer Leverkusen would appear an obvious choice if the Reds hierarchy decide to part company with under-fire Arne Slot.Indeed, travelling Liverpool fans sung Alonso’s name during Saturday’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter final thrashing at Manchester City.While the Liverpool board have continued to back Slot during their poor Premier League title defence, the nature of the defeat at the Etihad and the reaction from the usually loyal travelling fans will not have gone unnoticed.Alonso is also believed to be a contender to replace Pep Guardiola at Manchester City if he steps down at the end of the season.Maguire only wanted UnitedHarry Maguire has taken a pay cut to extend his Manchester United career, talkSPORT understands.Maguire agreed to slash his £190,000-a-week wages by signing a new one-year deal on the proviso he had the option to extend by another year at the end of next season.Sources close to the England defender, recently recalled to Thomas Tuchel’s squad, had interest from rival Premier League clubs and top overseas sides but was only interested in staying at Old Trafford.United feel finding a player to rival the 33-year-old’s experience – having played 266 games for United, winning both the FA Cup and League Cup – would be costly at a time when they are focusing on replenishing other areas of the squad.Maguire credits boss Michael Carrick with helping him force his way back into Tuchel’s World Cup plans having been a mainstay of Carrick’s tenure.talkSPORT also understands Kobbie Mainoo is close to extending his contract having been welcomed back from the cold by Carrick.Maguire wanted to stay at Manchester United so badly that he took a pay cut to sign a new deal, despite the prospect of a bumper pay day as a free agent in the summerGettyToon eye Championship starNewcastle had a scout watching Championship leaders Coventry’s 3-2 Good Friday victory at home to Derby.The highly-rated Jack Rudoni came off the bench to score twice as Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues’ moved a step closer to ending their 25-year exile from the Premier League.While Rudoni has his suitors in the top-flight, it is thought the Magpies were running the rule over England Under-21 goalkeeper Carl Rushworth instead.Rushworth has kept 15 clean sheets in Coventry’s 41 league games since joining on loan from Brighton last summer and has been one of their star players.Prising him away from the Amex will not be easy, especially with Brighton number one Bart Verbruggen attracting interest from Tottenham and Bayern Munich, as previously reported.However, Newcastle aren’t the only Premier League club with an interest in Rushworth – talkSPORT understands as many as six top flight sides are currently tracking the goalkeeper.Chelsea have agreed to sign sign Barco from their sister club Strasbourg – but the deal will see more of the Blues’ money heading to BrightonGettySeagulls to make more money out of ChelseaBrighton will net yet another windfall from Chelsea once Valentin Barco completes his move to Stamford Bridge.As talkSPORT reported on Monday, Barco has agreed terms on a six-year contract with Chelsea and the Blues are negotiating a transfer fee with sister club Strasbourg.Barco joined the French outfit Brighton in a deal worth around £8m at the start of last year and sources have confirmed the Seagulls did include a lucrative sell-on clause.Meanwhile, sources in France have told talkSPORT that Strasbourg head coach Gary O’Neil is not enamoured with the prospect of losing Barco, 21.