Liverpool’s pursuit of Bayer Leverkusen manager Xabi Alonso may receive a boost in their bid to outmaneuver Bayern Munich, reports suggest.
With Jurgen Klopp set to depart at the season’s end, Liverpool eyes Alonso as a potential successor. Despite Leverkusen’s Bundesliga dominance and Alonso’s ties to the club, Liverpool’s stability and Fenway Sports Group’s managerial support present an enticing offer.
While Bayern Munich reportedly holds sway due to Alonso’s Bundesliga allegiance, sources indicate Liverpool’s advantage in securing his services.
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Furthermore, other contenders like Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and Germany’s Julian Nagelsmann remain in the frame, offering Liverpool additional options in their managerial pursuit.
Former CBS journalist Ben Jacobs told GiveMeSport that:
“Liverpool, as they always do, will have more than one option. So, it’s fair to call Alonso a leading candidate, if not the leading candidate.
“I think Roberto De Zerbi could also be considered simply because Richard Hughes has a bit of history looking at him for Bournemouth. Ruben Amorim is not quite as high up, but he is there and could well make the final shortlist because he scores very highly in the data analysis. That’s the same for Julian Nagelsmann.
“However, data only gets you so far because Liverpool will want to understand the practical reality of who will be the best transitional fit, personality fit, strategic fit, and football coach. This is why their process will be done on their terms and their timescale, and they will be extremely thorough.”
Veteran Liverpool Reporter Neil Jones Offers Latest on Xabi Alonso and Managerial Search.
“The situation regarding Xabi Alonso remains unchanged for now as far as I’m aware; there has been no indication of what he wants to do in the summer as his focus remains very much on Bayer Leverkusen and what could be an incredible end to the season.
“German reports suggest that Bayern Munich is his favoured destination, but Alonso and his camp have been very quiet and until there is any clarity from their side, I think it’s a case of wait and see.
“What is clear, as said previously, is that he is going to have at least three options to choose from this summer. Not a bad place for any young manager to be in!
“If Alonso is not available, one thing is for certain now that Michael Edwards is in place as Fenway Sports Group’s CEO of football; Liverpool will do extensive research before appointing their next manager.
“Edwards has always championed a data-driven approach to recruitment, and that will certainly be the case with finding Jurgen Klopp’s successor. Liverpool’s research team, led by Will Spearman, have already been hard at work, and there will already have been a whittling-down of contenders.
“In terms of names, it should not surprise you to learn that Ruben Amorim is well thought of within Liverpool, and Roberto De Zerbi is another strong contender. De Zerbi would have been in contention to take over at Bournemouth in 2022 when Richard Hughes was technical director, but for a change in ownership at the Cherries, and Hughes is a known fanatic of Italian football and Italian methodology.
“Edwards and Hughes also have strong relationships with both Eddie Howe and Gary O’Neil, but I don’t expect either of those two to come into contention for the role this summer. If O’Neil were to continue impressing at Wolves, however, then I wouldn’t rule out the idea of him coming onto Liverpool’s radar in the future.”
Jones wrote in his Caught Offside column.
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