A Liverpool fan thinks Xabi Alonso should succeed Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool after the German announced his imminent exit from Anfield.
Xabi Alonso has emerged as the frontrunner and fan favourite to take over the Liverpool job.
Amid the search for possible replacement, a Liverpool fan has taken to X to highlight some reasons why he thinks Xabi Alonso should be the next Reds manager after Jurgen Klopp exit.
He wrote:
“Alonso is from a footballing family. His father was a successful player for Real Sociedad, Barcelona and the Spanish National Team, he went on to become a manager in Spain for over 10 years.
“Perika Alonso won La Liga three times – twice with Real Sociedad & again with Barca
“Alonso has been around football from a very young age receiving an Ivy League football education from Perika.
“It’s no surprise both Perika’s sons went on to play professional football.
“Did you know? Alonso has a brother who played for Sammy Lee at Bolton
“Alonso was a talented footballer from a young age, breaking into the first team aged 18 & by the age of 20 making 33 appearances receiving his national team call up at 21 in a season that saw Sociedad finish 2nd.
“Did you know? he was Spain player of the year that season
“So we’ve established that from a young age Xabi had excellent skill and positive footballing influences in his life providing that early foundation.
“Next let’s look in more detail at his playing career beyond Real Sociedad.
“One thing I like about Xabi is his ability to see the whole football pitch and read the game.
“I think this trait transfers well into management, for example the likes of Guardiola, Mourinho, Conte and Ancelotti spent their playing years in midfield.
“Another thing I like about Xabi is that he’s a winner & a very good footballer. He was good enough to start every game in a Spain World Cup winning squad that included Xavi and Busquets. He was an influential part of that team that would eventually win 2 euros and a World Cup
“He’s also played under 4 different Champions League winning managers with significant stunts under all of them. (Benitez, Ancelotti, Mourinho, Guardiola)
“Imagine how much he must have absorbed from working in those squads.
“Alonso had great longevity in the game still starting regularly at the age of 35 for Carlo Ancelotti, he’s also been a club captain at Sociedad when they finished 2nd show has shown his seniority as a player and captain.
“Looking ahead to his managerial experience.
“Alonso took a conservative approach. He started studying his badges and returned to Real Madrid to coach the youth players at u14 level.
“Immediate success followed winning the title ahead of Barcelona in his year there.
“From there he went back to his roots and took the manager job for Soceidads B team.
“In his second season he won promotion and for the first time in 60 years Soceidad B would be playing in the second tier!
“A bi mg achievement, just 10 years before they were in div.4
“He eventually moved to Bayern Leverkusen in 2022, immediately having success guiding Leverkusen to a Europa League Semi-Final where they narrowly lost to Jose Mourinhos Roma by a goal to nil despite deserving a win and limiting Mourinhos side to just 1 shot in the home leg.
“Now in his second season they currently sit undefeated at the top of the Bundesliga and relatively unlucky not to be more than 2 points clear.
“Did you know? they’ve not won the league since 1979 & Alonso semi final was their first European Semi Final since 1995
“Leverkusen have spent a net £17m on players for the seasons Alonso has managed and a gross spend of £90m (Bayern’s is £326m).
“He’s brought players on and tactically improved teams. He’s brought success at lower levels already and now duplicating that in a big league.
“I think Xabi has the hallmarks to be a great manager, I’d love him at Liverpool after Jurgen.
“I do think there’s a risk that if he does leave he may be swayed by an offer from Bayern Munich.
In other Liverpool news, Paul Merson Names Champions League Winner as Xabi Alonso Alternative to Replace Jurgen Klopp