Why Liverpool missed out on Xabi Alonso may turn out to be a fortunate twist of fate, as revealed by a BBC reporter who highlights three compelling reasons why Ruben Amorim, the new number one target, is the superior choice.
Firstly, the Reds had initially earmarked Bayer Leverkusen’s highly impressive Xabi Alonso as the top candidate to succeed Jurgen Klopp. Klopp is set to depart Liverpool at the end of the season, opting for a sabbatical before considering his next career move.
Alonso’s remarkable achievements at Leverkusen, coupled with a substantial 10-point lead over Bayern Munich, positioned him as a frontrunner to secure his team’s first-ever Bundesliga title.
Speculations arose regarding Alonso potentially leaving Leverkusen as a triumphant figure to join either Liverpool or Bayern Munich, both of which are in pursuit of a new manager, with Thomas Tuchel expected to depart Bayern at the end of the current season.
However, latest reports from Fabrizio Romano suggest that Alonso’s ultimate decision to remain loyal to Leverkusen will soon be officially announced.
Taking to X, Romano stated “Xabi Alonso, set to stay at Bayer Leverkusen with announcement to follow in public.
“Decision made and confirmed for Xabi who’s staying for one more season.”
Alonso’s existing contract with Leverkusen includes a release clause, yet it remains inactive until the year 2025.
Regrettably for Liverpool and Bayern Munich, this schedule does not align with their urgent requirement for a new manager at present.
Three Reasons Why Amorim is Superior
Several reputable sources, including Paul Joyce from the Times and Romano, have indicated that Liverpool are set to pursue Ruben Amorim, the current manager of Sporting CP.
Amorim, at the age of 39, is actually three years younger than Alonso. Despite his relatively young age, he already boasts nearly five full seasons of experience in senior management. Before taking over at Sporting in 2020, he managed Braga for 18 months.
In contrast, Alonso is only in his second season as a senior manager.
BBC reporter Chris Bertram suggests that Amorim’s additional experience is among three reasons why he might indeed be the more wiser choice for Liverpool owners FSG.
Bertram highlighted another significant aspect, pointing out Amorim’s demonstrated ability to overcome challenges in his leadership role.
During the 2020/21 season, Amorim steered Sporting to their first league title in 19 years, showcasing his managerial prowess. Despite finishing second the following year, his team unexpectedly slipped to fourth in the subsequent season.
Nevertheless, Amorim’s resilience has been evident as he has propelled his team back to the top of the table. Currently, Sporting lead Benfica by a single point in the Primeira Liga and also hold a game in hand.
Moreover, Amorim has proven his adeptness at keeping his team in contention for titles despite losing key players. Notably, Matheus Nunes and Joao Palhinha, who were integral to the team, were sold during Amorim’s tenure to Manchester City and Fulham, respectively.
This ability to navigate high-profile departures and maintain competitiveness for major honours is noteworthy, especially given the impending contract expirations of Liverpool’s key players – Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Mohamed Salah – in 2025.
Portuguese Paper Leads with Amorim to Liverpool
On Friday morning, Portuguese newspaper Record prominently featured Amorim as the lead story on their front page, suggesting significant relevance.
Their headline read: “Liverpool aperta Amorim”, which translates to ‘Liverpool squeeze Amorim.’
For over a month, Portuguese media have been suggesting Liverpool as Amorim’s likely next destination. The recent Alonso news has only increased the likelihood of Amorim joining Anfield.
Furthermore, their sub-heading read: “Reds want to meet with coach at the end of the season, Italian [Roberto De] Zerbi also on the list.”
Amorim’s existing contract in Lisbon includes a release clause that Liverpool can trigger this summer. While there’s some discrepancy among sources regarding its exact value, the consensus is that the pivotal figure stands at €20m.
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