A few days ago, Jürgen Klopp announced that, at the end of the season, he would be stepping down as Liverpool FC manager after nine consecutive years in charge. The reason for his departure was a lack of energy caused by the physical and mental exhaustion of being in the media spotlight for so many years. Hours after the news hit the media, rumours about who will be the new manager of the Reds began to surface rapidly. However, among all the candidates for the Anfield dugout, one name stands out, that of Xabi Alonso.
A glorious past at Anfield:
The Spanish coach has a glorious past at Liverpool, as he played there for five seasons and was one of the components of the ‘Spanish Liverpool’ alongside Álvaro Arbeloa, Pepe Reina, Fernando Torres, etc. He was also involved in what became known as ‘The Miracle of Istanbul‘, that epic comeback in the final minutes of the Champions League final of the 2004-2005 season against Carlo Ancelotti’s Milan, which ended with the English winning on penalties.
During his time in the city of the Beatles, Xabi Alonso won an FA Cup, a Community Shield and two European titles, the aforementioned Champions League and the subsequent European Super Cup. The Reds fans have fond memories of the former player and the golden era the club experienced during his time at the club.
Xabi is therefore the fans’ favourite to manage their team, perhaps in the hope that he will lead the English side to the top of the European scene as he did during his time as a player.
A young coach, but with a magnificent projection:
The Tolosa native, although he began his career as a professional coach just about five years ago, has achieved a great international prestige that he has earned after his good performances, first at the helm of the Real Sociedad ‘B’ squad and then managing Bayer Leverkusen in Germany.
In Germany, he has had two dream seasons, becoming the only unbeaten coach in the five major European leagues this season.
Although it may seem difficult for Xabi Alonso to change clubs this summer given how well he is performing in the Bundesliga, he has a clause in his current contract that says he can leave Bayer Leverkusen if he gets a call from Real Madrid or Liverpool FC.
Despite being the fans’ favourite, other coaches such as Italy’s Roberto De Zerbi, Germany’s Julian Naggelsman and Portugal’s José Mourinho have also come up for consideration. In a few months’ time, however, we will be able to answer this question.
Will Xabi Alonso return to Anfield?
Translated by Marcos Rodríguez.
Main image: @bayer04_en.
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