Steve McManaman says there’s another manager he feels really ‘sorry for’ after Jurgen Klopp’s announcement

Add as preferred source on Google

Jurgen Klopp’s announcement that he’s ending his time as Liverpool boss has reverberated around the planet.

Nobody saw Klopp’s decision to leave the Reds at the end of the season coming. As a result, the football world has gone into overdrive. Rumours of who will replace the German are rife, with Xabi Alonso installed as the current front-runner.

And with Alonso already questioned on the news this morning, former Liverpool winger Steve McManaman says he feels ‘sorry’ for the Spaniard right now.

“Well Xabi will jump right at the top of the list because of the job he is doing at Bayer Leverkusen,” McManaman explains to TNT Sports.

“I feel slightly sorry for him that the announcement has happened because he’s going to be bombarded now from pillar to post, answering questions when he’s doing an incredible job himself.

“I think a lot of the Liverpool fans, certainly, the people who live in Liverpool and understand the area, will earmark him as someone who’s wanted.”

Alonso already feeling the heat

We completely agree with McManaman here. With Alonso’s Bayer Leverkusen going so well, the last thing the 42-year-old needs is so much distraction.

In some slightly unfortunate timing, Xabi had a press conference not too long after the news broke about Klopp.

Asked whether he’s interested in taking the Liverpool job, the World Cup winner played things down a little.

“Honestly, I don’t have a direct answer,” Alonso said with a chuckle via Fabrizio Romano. “I’m happy here right now, that’s for sure, and only thinking about Leverkusen”

Despite his side-stepping of the question – or maybe even because of it – this will no doubt be asked time and time again between now and the end of the season.

In one way, it’s a huge compliment to Alonso. He has been doing superbly well ever since taking the Leverkusen job just over a year ago. To already be linked with the Reds is testament to the excellent job he’s done.

But the fact remains that Alonso is still inexperienced as a coach. Who knows how he handles the extra scrutiny. Hopefully it won’t derail his team’s own season.

Of course, one way to nip the questions in the bud would be to agree and announce a long-term deal with Liverpool, Xabi! Fun and games ahead, for sure.