Jurgen Klopp is set to depart Liverpool at the conclusion of the season, with FSG actively seeking a successor.
According to an EFL chairman, Xabi Alonso has garnered support as a potential replacement for Klopp at Liverpool.
Alternatively, Southampton’s Russell Martin may be considered as a candidate by Fenway Sports Group, alongside Enzo Maresca of Leicester City.
Nearly two weeks ago, Klopp shocked fans by announcing his departure from Anfield at the end of the season after nine years at the helm.
Since his arrival in October 2015, the German has orchestrated Liverpool’s resurgence among Europe’s top clubs, clinching six major trophies during his tenure, notably the 2019 Champions League and the club’s first-ever Premier League title the following season. Currently leading the table, the Reds remain competitive across all competitions.
FSG is now confronted with the task of finding a successor to Klopp. Alonso, who secured the Champions League title with Liverpool in 2005, is emerging as the frontrunner.
The former Spain international presently manages Bayer Leverkusen, leading the Bundesliga. Roberto De Zerbi of Brighton is also in contention, alongside former RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann.
Darragh MacAnthony, the majority owner of Peterborough United and a devoted Liverpool supporter, advocates for a promising coach over an experienced one.
While it might be premature for Martin, who is currently steering Southampton towards a potential return to the Premier League with an ongoing 24-match unbeaten streak, to assume the helm at Anfield, he’s being touted for great heights.
Speaking on his podcast The Hard Truth, MacAnthony said: “What he’s done for the club has been evolutionary winning a league title for the first time in 30 years. The football, the identity – I understand why he’s done it. I understand he’s exhausted, it’s full tilt, if I were a football manager I’d need a break because I’m full tilt.
“I’m not comparing myself but his personality is all in. If he can’t give everything, he’s one of those people who are real. Some might pick their £15 million up and get on with it but he’s not like that. Even if he was poor, he’d still walk.
“We’d love Alonso. I’m not sure we’d get him because Real Madrid might be sniffing around him. Outside of that, I can’t think of too many candidates I’d love. I don’t want someone in their 50s or 60s. I want someone where it’s Liverpool 2.0 or now you can call it Liverpool 2.5 because you’re now going to have a new manager.
“They’re younger, they’re fresher, you want new ideas. I think we’re going to have a good season winning one or two trophies. We’re not going to win the league, it’ll be Man City, I’ve always said they’ll win the league by a canter. Really devastating and the Premier League is losing another great character. If Pep left in a year, the Premier League is like: ‘What are you left with?’ A real shame.
“I think you look at the Brighton guy. The Leicester guy might be an outside chance. He’s getting a bit of criticism from Leicester fans for keeping the ball too much. It could be the German guy, Nagelsmann, who I’m not really fond of. Alonso would be ideal because he’s Liverpool DNA.
“Klopp’s No.2 [Pep Lijnders] is leaving, do they give him a chance? He looks like he’s got a bit of character. “I don’t really know. An outside shout would be someone I think will manage at the top and will get a chance.
“They won’t take a chance on him now, he’ll have to prove it would be Russell Martin. When he takes Southampton up and finishes [in the] top half with his style of play, bigger clubs will come in and take him.”
In other Liverpool news, The Process of Bringing Fans’ Favourite to Anfield Has Already Begun as Liverpool Reportedly Contact Jurgen Klopp Replacement