Jurgen Klopp gives a positive appraisal of ‘incredible’ Liverpool managerial target ahead of pivotal summer

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp endorses the “incredible” Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso for doing an exceptional job amid succession links

Jurgen Klopp praised Bayer Leverkusen boss Xabi Alonso for doing an “exceptional job” amid link to succeed him at Liverpool. Leverkusen are currently enjoying an unbeaten season in all competitions under Alonso, eight points ahead of Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga.

Die Werkself appointed Xabi during the 2022-23 season when they fell inside the relegation zone due to a poor start. The Spaniard changed the situation at the club and guided them to a respectable sixth-place finish last season.

The 42-year-old used the summer transfer window to make the shrewd signing, bolstering the squad with much-needed quality. He instil cohesiveness and his tactical philosophy within the team that has helped them in this season’s success.

Xabi enjoyed an impressive professional career as a footballer, playing for top clubs like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich. He gained managerial wisdom and tactical knowledge from top-class managers like Carlo Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho and Rafa Benitez.

He already has a strong bond with the Kopites which has bolstered his chances to succeed Klopp at Liverpool. The endorsement from Klopp makes his case even more strong compared to other potential candidates.  

Speaking to the press on Friday (h/t Sky Sports), Klopp hyped the impressive job and standout qualities that Xabi possesses. He said:

“Xabi is doing an incredible job. If you would have asked me eight weeks ago about Xabi Alonso, I would have gone ‘Oh my God!’ Always what I said, the dinosaurs if you want, Ancelotti (Carlo), Mourinho (Jose), Guardiola (Pep), maybe me, we will not do it okay, maybe Mourinho – but all the rest will not do it for the next 20 years. The next generation is already there and I would say Xabi is a standout in that department, Former world-class player, from a coaching family as well which helps a little, he was like a coach already when he was playing. The football he is playing, the teams he sets up, the transfers he did, it is absolutely exceptional.”

Klopp announced his departure from Liverpool after the end of the current season at the end of January. The decision shocked Liverpool fans and opened up Pandora’s box for unlimited rumours about the next potential successor.

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Being a Liverpool fan and an ex-Red player, Alonso is already a fan favourite to succeed Klopp. Liverpool management should take Klopp’s endorsement seriously, given that Alonso ticks all the boxes and has the hunger to do justice to the German’s legacy.