Liverpool fans will be losing Jürgen Klopp at the end of the season after nine years and seven trophies won. He made this known in a blockbuster interview in January 2024.
The club, however, have known since November 2023 and had already begun searching for his replacement since then. This information became public knowledge after the world found out the German tactician’s intentions along with Liverpool fans last January.
Many names, including Bayer 04 Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso, have been touted as potential replacements for Klopp. Fresh reports indicate that the club has been on top of that situation since November.
It is now understood that after Klopp told the club’s administration of his decision in November, they immediately contacted their former player who is currently upturning the Bundesliga with his brilliant football.
Alonso is only in his first full season as a top flight manager. He took on the Bayer 04 Leverkusen role in October 2022 when the club was struggling and helped them to a top six finish in the league. In the 2023/24 season, he is guiding them through a brilliant campaign where they remain the only European top side to be unbeaten across all competitions.
This feat has attracted suitors from far and wide. Liverpool are looking to get the jump on them and are hoping to play on his sentimental attachment to the club as a former player of theirs to get him in as Klopp’s replacement.
The 42-year-old gave a diplomatic answer to the question of replacing Klopp in a Leverkusen press conference after the German’s revelation. He said: “I was surprised by Jurgen’s news. I have huge respect for Jürgen and Liverpool.”
“At the moment I am really happy here and enjoying my work. Each day and game is a challenge. We are in an intense and beautiful journey here at Leverkusen.”
“Speculation is normal, but I have great respect and admiration for what Jürgen has done at Liverpool in the last nine years, and how he’s done it. He has a connection with the fans, he’s done a great job, but my focus is here at Bayer Leverkusen.”
“I have great motivation to do a good job here, I’m very happy with the team, with the club, with everything, so that’s my focus. My focus isn’t on May, it’s on tomorrow ahead of our game against Gladbach and helping my players to be ready. But what I will say is it was surprising what happened at Liverpool with Jürgen leaving.”
Other candidates for the soon-to-be vacant Liverpool manager role are Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim, Brighton and Hove Albion’s Roberto De Zerbi and Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann.
