Liverpool’s search for Jurgen Klopp’s successor is in full swing – with early favorite Xabi Alonso expected to stay at Bayer Leverkusen.
Alonso is a bright candidate for the position to take over Anfield when at the end of January, Klopp announced that he would leave Liverpool at the end of this season.
Alonso also announced in a press conference on Friday that he will stay with Bundesliga leaders Leverkusen. It comes a day after it was revealed that Liverpool are not expected to include him on their manager’s shortlist.
Is Amorim the new perfect fit?
When you look at the matches live football Liverpool want in terms of style and approach, Ruben Amorim ranks very highly. Sporting Lisbon’s high-pressure stats are very similar to Liverpool’s – as are their pace of play and how direct they are.
Amorim’s first full season at Sporting somewhat mirrors what Alonso is doing in his first full season at Leverkusen.
Liverpool have in-depth knowledge of the Portuguese market with managers such as: Pep Lijnders, Vitor Matos and former sporting director Julian Ward all having great contacts and links there, so they will There is a lot of information about Amorim.
De Zerbi is a bright candidate
The other manager closely linked is Roberto De Zerbi, who has tactical acumen and the ability to outperform his budget. Specifically, Brighton has the second lowest salary in the league but has the same ball control data as the all-winning Manchester City.
While Brighton largely contrast Liverpool’s directness, Alexis Mac Allister, Adam Lallana and James Milner will provide evidence that De Zerbi can combine the dynamism of the Merseysiders with greater control.
There will be question marks about how his defensive numbers and temperament will stack up in a more demanding and pressured environment. He excels at resources, has a charismatic personality, plays football that attracts praise from other managers and improves players.
Why did Alonso refuse Bayern Munich and Liverpool?
This is more about Xabi Alonso than the opportunities given to him. Alonso wants to stay at Leverkusen and continue this incredible project that is still in its infancy and on its way to making history. Not only does that happen in the Bundesliga, they can also win the treble and go undefeated in all competitions.
The Spaniard has been assured that he can continue to build – and that the team will not be broken up. He feels there is still a lot of talent and potential to exploit at Leverkusen.
He wants to stay true to himself and his work. When everyone expected him to sign with Borussia Monchenladbach, he refused and extended his contract with Real Sociedad B.
Another point to note when watch soccer Liverpool will receive this development differently from Bayern. Because, they are very private and respectful of Klopp’s succession process while the German giants are very public and expressed support for Alonso joining them.
The story from Munich that: If he hadn’t stayed at Leverkusen this summer, he would have become Bayern coach ignores the fact that his decision is an indictment of them. Alonso is effectively saying that he believes Leverkusen can topple them again next season.
Is Alonso aiming for the Real Madrid job?
I think Alonso feels the Bayern job will come back. During Jurgen Klopp’s time leading Liverpool, Bayern had 7 different head coaches. On the contrary, the opportunity to take on a job in Liverpool is very rare.
It’s unfortunate for him that it comes too soon but Alonso’s stay at Leverkusen fits perfectly with the timing of succeeding Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. As much as Leverkusen is happy with this news, so is Real.
Now there are no guarantees in football and he could go down next season but essentially he is strengthening himself, his abilities and his work.