Liverpool are right front and centre of the footballing news cycle this Thursday afternoon.
It isn’t for reasons any Liverpool fan will have hoped for, mind you. Today has brought the dreaded news that Jurgen Klopp is set to step down as Reds manager at the end of the season. Gut-punch.
As Liverpool fans digest this unwelcome – and shock – news, talk is starting to turn to exactly who could replace the German at Anfield.
So far, there is truly only one name on Reds’ fans lips: Xabi Alonso. The former midfielder has already been backed by the likes of Ryan Babel to take the job. And now, posting on X this morning, journalist Ben Jacobs has shared what he’s previously been told about Alonso by Bayer Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro.
“Xabi Alonso, who is doing an amazing job at Leverkusen, is the early bookies favourite to replace Jurgen Klopp,” writes Jacobs.
“Leverkusen CEO Fernando Carro told me there’s no clause allowing him to leave for LFC, but added “sometimes agreements that aren’t on paper are agreements as well.””
Alonso tipped for Liverpool job
Carro’s comments came back in November. This is what the CEO said at the time.
“You don’t need a clause. We have a very, very good relationship with Xabi and he knows we are a serious club.
At the end of the day, we’re not going to force someone to stay if he doesn’t want to stay. We want him to feel so happy and so good with us that he really only wants to stay and that is our objective.
“There is nothing on paper [allowing Alonso to leave for a former club]. But sometimes agreement that are not on paper are agreements as well. We know if he needs to do a move in the future we will be able to talk with each other.
“I hope we will not need to do this because he will stay and be happy in Leverkusen.”
When Carro said these comments, obviously no Liverpool supporter will have expected Klopp to be leaving. But in light of today’s news, they take on a whole new meaning.
There isn’t a single reason why Liverpool wouldn’t be looking at Alonso as a successor to the German. His record this season is impeccable. Even if he weren’t a former Red, he would be on the shortlist.
That he is surely makes this a no-brainer. If Xabi is open to it, he feels like the only real candidate.
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