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| Xabi Alonso could either spend one more year at Leverkusin or head to Bayern Munich, leaving Liverpool in the cold, who will the Kops turn to? (Photo credit: GOAL) |
As the Premier League returns this weekend, one question on the lips of many is the potential successor for Jurgen Klopp when he leaves the club in the summer.
Many Liverpool fans hope in their closets that the German will change his mind late on and decide to stay for at least one more year, but as each day goes by, the possibility of that shrinks more and the inevitability of Klopp’s exit nears reality.
It’s not the first time a high-profile manager announces his departure and then changes his mind. Liverpool fans can hang on to Sir Alex Ferguson’s proposed retirement in 2001; he already shook hands with Steve McLaren as the successor, but Scott changed his mind and stayed for a decade more.
Carlo Ancelotti was rumoured to have shook hands with the Brazilian FA as the replacement for Tite last year. With many already looking around for his potential replacement at Real Madrid, he has since signed an extension, and that has been laid to rest.
Xabi Alonso, a former Liverpool player with an awesome record of winning the Champions League, is the number one name on everyone’s list to replace Klopp. You can't blame them for wanting a man who is giving Bayern Munich all the headaches in the Bundesliga.
Alonso’s Bayern Leverkusen is yet to lose a game across all competitions this season, already in the quarterfinals of the Europa League, topping the table by ten points in the Bundesliga and set to land the League Cup too.
Liverpool understands the Spaniard isn’t in a rush to choose his next destination and won’t be drawn into the chaos that could be on the table after Klopp leaves. His style of play can work at Liverpool, but is he ready for the big shoes of Klopp?
Bayern Munich are also eyeing Alonso; it’s their usual practice to cherry-pick their competitors, and Alonso could be the next manager after Thomas Tuchel’s torrid season. The German manager faces Arsenal in the quarterfinals of the Champions League and could well finish on top.
Liverpool has options. Looking inwards in the Premier League, they could consider Roberto De Zerbi; Gary O’Neil is under the watch of Manchester United; but they could snap him up or go for a brave one in Luton Town’s Rob Edwards.
Looking abroad, they have options too, but they must consider their current players, style of play, and adaptation. Manchester United and Arsenal still have the effects of losing a long-term manager, and with United yet to find their feet despite spending so much, will Liverpool follow the same trend?