Germany legend Lothar Matthaus feels Xabi Alonso could snub the chance to replace Jurgen Klopp at Premier League giants Liverpool as he waits for the Real Madrid job instead.
With Jurgen Klopp leaving Liverpool, Xavi growing tired of the pressure in the Barcelona dugout, and the likes of Erik ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino and Thomas Tuchel facing doubts over their own futures, there could be quite the scramble for some of Europe’s sharpest young tactical minds this summer.
HITC Football understands that Liverpool, drawing up a succession plan for Klopp’s exit, have identified the likes of Xabi Alonso and Roberto de Zerbi as potential replacements, while Thomas Frank and Ange Postecoglou have also been linked.
But Lothar Matthaus, a Ballon D’Or and World Cup winner in 1990, has a sneaking suspicion that Alonso may turn down the chance to re-trace his steps on Merseyside amid suggestions that he is being groomed as an eventual successor for Carlo Ancelotti at another of his former clubs, Spanish giants Real Madrid.
Could Xabi Alonso become Liverpool’s new manager?
“Regardless of the outcome of the league, I could imagine him staying in Leverkusen,” Matthaus writes in his Sky Germany column.
“We hear that Real Madrid is his dream club, but Carlo Ancelotti has extended his contract there. Liverpool and Barcelona are looking for a coach, but a move to one of these clubs would probably ruin the Madrid option in the long term.
“This aspect could play into Leverkusen’s hands so that Alonso fulfils his contract.”
Sunday’s 2-0 win at Darmstadt means Leverkusen are still two points clear at the top of the Bundesliga, despite the best efforts of Harry Kane and co at Bayern Munich. Alonso’s thrilling, free-flowing Leverkusen outfit are also unbeaten in all competitions, the Spaniard’s influence shining through with every scintillating, sweeping team move.
Jurgen Klopp will be difficult to replace
“Alonso led his teams as a player. He was something like the coach on the pitch at Liverpool FC , Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. Tuchel wasn’t a great player himself, but he won major titles as a coach,” Mathaus adds, having been impressed more by Alonso’s work at the Bay Arena compared to the former Chelsea boss at the Allianz.
“Tuchel has so far achieved an unearthly number of points with FC Bayern that will actually make them champions in the end. But Leverkusen have been even stronger so far.
Every time I watched Bayer 04 this season, Alonso’s style of play and ideas are clearly visible. Tuchel also has his signature, but Alonso’s is more visible to me.
“Leverkusen is Alonso’s first stop as a coach, but he has had an enormous influence on his team.”
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