Liverpool department Marking Leverkusen manager Liverpool are said to be ‘close’ to Xabi Alonso, with Jurgen Klopp having another option to replace him. Xabi Alonso is always mentioned when Liverpool are looking for their next manager. Whoever is chosen, succeeding Jurgen Klopp will be an almost impossible task.It says a lot about Alonso’s performance to date that he has become the unanimous favourite, with many Liverpool fans convinced he is fit for the job. Everyone will no doubt be watching this weekend’s match against Bayern Munich with interest as Bayer Leverkusen look to maintain their unbeaten run and stay at the top of the Bundesliga.
His links with Liverpool during his time as a player may be a deciding factor. However, this will not have much impact on FSG and other contenders will surely be shortlisted.
The club president recently hinted at a new possibility, stating that a final candidate could still come from the left. A number of names have emerged behind Alonso, including Roberto De Zerbi, Ruben Amorim and Julian Nagelsmann, but Liverpool are not limiting their search to the “obvious” options.A report claims Liverpool approached Alonso in November when Klopp first broke the news to the FSG chairman. Recent searches for Anfield managers include:Xabi Alonso approaches.Before Klopp’s transfer was made public, only a select few at Liverpool were aware of it.
The players were also surprised.
Speculative questions about a possible successor therefore had to be carefully considered between the November and January announcements. However, Foot Mercato claim that Liverpool are still “closing in” on Alonso.The report claims that Alonso remains Liverpool’s “priority” suitor and is at the top of the club’s internal shortlist. He tries to “advance” understanding.
Liverpool.com says: One thing is clear: Liverpool have been preparing for Klopp’s move since it was announced in November. The data department identified suitable candidates and there is no doubt that Alonso’s name came up.
However, it is very likely that no action was taken even in November when this secret was revealed. With a sporting director yet to be named, Liverpool look hard to make concrete moves. We must be patient on this path. Liverpool proposes a new nameThere’s no getting away from the fact that Alonso seems to be everyone’s first choice for the Liverpool job. However, the club cannot see this as a done deal. It would be remiss not to keep a close eye on the other suitors as it is not inevitable that the Spaniard will be willing to let go of his exciting Bayer Leverkusen project. Replacing Klopp is one of the biggest jobs in football, so while Liverpool may be closer to picking a suitor, a shortlist is by no means a bad thing. And Peterborough chairman (and Reds fan) Darragh McAnthony has thrown a new name into the mix. “I think we’re looking at a guy from Brighton, a guy from Leicester could be a possibility,” McAnthony told the Hard Truth podcast. “He gets a bit of criticism from Leicester fans for having too much of the ball. He could be the German Nagelsmann. I don’t like him.” Alonso would be perfect because he has Liverpool DNA.”Leicester” player – Enzo Maresca. The Italian worked as Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City and the Foxes are currently top of the Championship with multi-year points still in sight. Liverpool.com says: If Klopp leaves in a few years, Maresca could be higher up the options list. However, it would be a big gamble for Liverpool to have him in the Championship after just one season, despite his strong assist record elsewhere. McAnthony may have had him in mind because of his EFL links as chairman of the League One club. Whether or not he is on Liverpool’s mind, his name is likely to be on the list of interesting suitors.
