As Liverpool fans begin to digest the news of Jurgen Klopp’s imminent departure as manager, talk has turned to what comes next.
With four months or so before Klopp eventually leaves the Reds, there’s plenty of time for the club to sort out a succession plan. It won’t be easy at all, but already a number of potential names have been put forward.
The front-runner among them appears to be former Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso. However, Alonso’s former teammate at Anfield, Luis Garcia, has suggested that Steven Gerrard may actually still be a better fit right now.
Now, speaking to TalkSPORT, former England striker Carlton Cole suggests there could be a compromise that involves both Alonso and Gerrard.
“What about this, and I don’t know if this is disrespectful towards Stevie G, but him coming as a number two or one of the coaches and keeping that DNA running and having that connection,” says Cole. “That strengthens that position up, gives that real of real Liverpool-ness.
“He hasn’t set the world on fire as a number one and sometimes it takes time to be that number one, especially at a club like Liverpool. If he were to come in and have a little bit influence over team, but not be the head figure, it would be someone like Xabi Alonso, would he take that or would he be an ego thing? Learn his trade while he was there and then after Xabi Alonso, maybe he takes over eventually.”
Gerrard backed for assistant role
We have to say, we actually really like this idea from Cole. Some may disagree, but it would be great to see Alonso and Gerrard link up again.
On the pitch, they were the perfect duo. Gerrard has often raved about Alonso and the two appear to have been close as players.
So, why wouldn’t things work with them as a team on the other side of the white line?
Of course, the sticking point may be that Gerrard has become used to being the main man over the past few years. But surely a return to Liverpool in this capacity would appeal more to him than taking charge of Al Ettifaq.
As a manager, Stevie’s reputation is pretty much in the gutter right now. The longer he spends out in Saudi Arabia, the faster he’ll fade into an irrelevance in Europe.
At Liverpool, he could work to restore the feeling around him and then look to take the step into being a head honcho again.
The other thing worth pointing out is how this could benefit Alonso. Yes, he obviously wants to be his own man as a head coach. But someone’s got to be his assistant. Taking on the Liverpool job would be a big step early on into his managerial career. Perhaps it would help to have an old mate alongside him who can take on some responsibility.
Maybe this is all just nostalgia talking, but we’d be delighted if this could happen. However, for now, it would be a big surprise.
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