Gary Lineker believes that Xabi Alonso, the former Liverpool midfielder currently managing Bayer Leverkusen, could be an ideal successor to Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool. Lineker expressed his views on The Rest is Football podcast, indicating that Alonso’s notable managerial performance might put him in contention as Klopp prepares to leave the Reds at the end of the current season.
According to Lineker, Alonso stands out as an obvious replacement for Klopp, considering the impact he has made at Bayer Leverkusen. Lineker speculates that other football clubs may also be considering Alonso, given his relative youth and limited managerial experience. Alonso’s success at Bayer Leverkusen, where the team leads the Bundesliga and remains unbeaten among Europe’s top five leagues, positions him as an attractive prospect for clubs facing managerial challenges, such as Bayern Munich.
Lineker describes the impending decision on Klopp’s successor at Liverpool as an immensely difficult task, emphasizing the challenge of finding someone to follow in the footsteps of the successful German manager.
Klopp’s announcement of leaving Liverpool at the end of the ongoing campaign stunned the football world. Since joining in 2015, Klopp guided the team through challenging times, establishing Liverpool as a dominant force in Europe. Under his leadership, Liverpool secured both the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Alonso, who played for Liverpool from 2004 to 2009, has rapidly become one of Europe’s most sought-after managers. With over 200 appearances for the club before moving to Real Madrid, Alonso has excelled as Bayer Leverkusen’s manager, leading them as the only remaining unbeaten team among Europe’s top five leagues and securing the top spot in the Bundesliga with a four-point lead over Bayern Munich.
In a video released by Liverpool’s media, Klopp explained his decision to leave, citing a depletion of energy. Despite knowing for a while that he would have to make this announcement, Klopp expressed that he is now in good spirits and acknowledged his limitations in continuously performing the demanding managerial role.
Klopp, hired in October 2015 after Brendan Rodgers’ departure, transformed Liverpool from an eighth-place finish in his first season to regular title contenders. The iconic 2018-19 title race against Manchester City saw Liverpool finish second with 97 points, but they secured the Premier League title in the following season with 99 points.
As of now, Liverpool leads the Premier League table, holding a five-point advantage over Manchester City, who have a game in hand. Additionally, Liverpool is advancing in the knockout stages of the Europa League and has already secured a spot in the Carabao Cup final against Chelsea. The upcoming managerial transition at Liverpool has sparked speculation, with Lineker suggesting that Xabi Alonso’s successful tenure at Bayer Leverkusen makes him a compelling candidate to continue Klopp’s legacy.
