Liverpool Football Club has allegedly initiated discussions with Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso regarding the possibility of him succeeding Jurgen Klopp as the club’s manager.
Xabi Alonso – The Frontrunner for Next Liverpool Manager
The news comes after Klopp announced his decision to step down from his role at the end of the current season, marking the conclusion of an illustrious eight-and-a-half-year tenure at Anfield.
Alonso, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career with Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, has emerged as the frontrunner for the managerial position, according to bookmakers’ odds.
During his 16-month stint in charge of Bayer Leverkusen, Alonso has significantly elevated his managerial profile. Under his guidance, Leverkusen has undergone a remarkable transformation from mid-table mediocrity to genuine title contenders in the Bundesliga.
Alonso boasts an impressive managerial record, having secured 43 victories in 67 games across all competitions for Leverkusen. Notably, he has masterminded a remarkable 30-game unbeaten run this season, the second-longest in German football history.
While Alonso has previously expressed contentment at Leverkusen, Liverpool’s interest in him as Klopp’s successor has prompted discussions between the parties. Reports suggest that Liverpool aims to gauge Alonso’s interest before proceeding with formal negotiations with Leverkusen.
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Other Names Linked to Liverpool
Despite reports of a clause in Alonso’s contract allowing him to join Liverpool, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich at the end of the 2023-24 season, Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro has denied its existence. Nevertheless, Carro indicated that Leverkusen would respect Alonso’s wishes should he seek a new challenge.
Amidst speculation surrounding Liverpool’s managerial search, other names have been linked with the position, including Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon, Zinedine Zidane, Julian Nagelsmann, Ange Postecoglou, Roberto De Zerbi, and Thomas Frank.
As Liverpool continues their pursuit of a successor to Klopp, Alonso remains focused on leading Leverkusen in their pursuit of a historic Bundesliga title. His immediate priority is preparing for Leverkusen’s upcoming clash against reigning champions Bayern Munich.