Liverpool may well be on the hunt for a remarkable quadruple under Jurgen Klopp this season, however, beneath the glorious on-field exploits remains an undercurrent of uncertainty as the German’s successor for the start of next season remains to be decided.
The Anfield club are also in need of a Sporting Director after Jorg Schmadtke left the position vacant recently following a brief but ultimately successful spell on Merseyside.
One name is by far and away the most commonplace on the Reds’ lips to succeed Klopp, Xabi Alonso. The former Spanish midfielder who graced Liverpool from 2004 to 2009 is the leading contender due to his connection, but moreover, the job he is currently doing at the helm of Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen.
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This week the announcement of Thomas Tuchel’s summer departure from Bayern Munich has thrown a proverbial spanner in the works as the Bavarian giants would also view Alonso as the most viable option to take over their soon-to-be vacant managerial post.
Dan spoke to Kicker journalist Georg Holzner to get the latest understanding from Germany on the situation as Bayern eye up the 42-year-old…
He said: “Xabi Alonso is Bayern’s first option, especially for Karl-Heinz Rummenigge who really really likes him. He was a fan when Xabi was a player at Bayern and they both kept contact. Of course, Bayern will do everything to convince Xabi Alonso to be the new manager in the summer.
“But, I’ve heard from my sources in England but also from one or two sources in Germany that Xabi Alonso is also in very good talks with Liverpool. What I heard is that the talks are ongoing and I think they are intensifying in the last couple of weeks.
“At the moment it seems that Xabi Alonso is thinking about what is best for him. Maybe it’s Liverpool. Or, maybe it is one more year in Leverkusen, he really likes the job in Leverkusen. I would say these two clubs are in the first row but Bayern will do everything!”
On the most likely outcome…
“In my opinion, Xabi Alonso is very very smart. A smart person always looks ‘Where do I have the best conditions to work?’. In Leverkusen, he joined when they were 17th and then last summer they built a team like he wanted and now you see what can happen when he has a team with the style of football he likes.
“This is one consideration though for his next club. If you look at Bayern, they have to change a lot of players in the summer and I don’t know if this is a step Alonso wants to take or if he wants to go to a club where something is working. If you look at Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp will leave the club with the best conditions so for Xabi Alonso will have good conditions. But, again, Bayern will do everything – they will play a big concert for him.”
Is Xabi Alonso the man for Liverpool?
Redmen Reacts
Although still relatively inexperienced, there is palpable excitement already growing within the fanbase over the prospect of Alonso becoming the Reds’ boss this summer.
Whilst the alternatives would be backed to the hilt and based on track record would almost certainly prove to be a shrewd choice, as things stand, very few stack up compared to the Spaniard.
As referenced by Georg, the post at the Allianz has been anything but stable in recent times and it would be a huge undertaking, therefore, hopefully, Alonso sees Anfield as a more desirable next landing spot.
