Just hours after Jurgen Klopp’s announcement, speculation has emerged as to who will replace Liverpool’s German manager at the end of the season.
The name at the top of many people’s wish lists was a familiar name to Liverpool fans. This is Xabi Alonso proving he is the leader of Bayer Leverkusen. Anfield icon Alonso began his first senior role in the Bundesliga in October 2022, with Leverkusen struggling at the wrong end. He made an immediate difference and led the club to sixth place and fourth place in the Europa League.
But things are a little better this season. Leverkusen are top of the table after an unbeaten start and will be looking to end Bayern Munich’s monopoly on the division. Klopp’s last time in charge was at Borussia Dortmund in the 2011/12 season.The Anfield link looks set to continue for some time and Alonso is seen as a strong candidate to replace Klopp.
Reports of a contract clause that could see him leave Leverkusen for his former club at the end of the season have been dismissed, but could turn heads if Liverpool raise the alarm.Following Klopp’s announcement, Alonso insisted his focus is on Leverkusen. “At that moment, I don’t think about the next step. “I’m in a good place and I’m enjoying it and I think it’s the right place,” he said. Alonso may have improved Bayern’s chances of leading them to the title with a smart January signing.
Leverkusen have signed Borja Iglesias from Real Betis after offloading goalscorer Victor Boniface. Iglesias, 31, has been at Betis since 2019 and admits his role model was fellow KOP player Fernando Torres. “He has always been a strong support for me. “I always see different styles of strikers and Fernando has been my idol since I was young,” Iglesias said.
