Liverpool anticipates that Xabi Alonso will remain with Bayer Leverkusen for the upcoming season, prompting the club to explore alternative options for Jurgen Klopp’s successor.
Alonso, 42, has emerged as a potential candidate for the managerial position at Anfield following Klopp’s announcement of his departure. However, Leverkusen’s proximity to securing their first Bundesliga championship and their undefeated status across all competitions this season make Alonso’s departure unlikely.
Uli Hoeness, Bayern Munich’s honorary president, has suggested that enticing Alonso away from Leverkusen this summer seems “probably impossible.” Alonso has also been considered for the managerial role at Bayern Munich, set to be vacated by Thomas Tuchel after this season.
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Given Leverkusen’s recent achievements, Hoeness noted Alonso’s preference to stay with the club. Alonso, who played for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, then joined Real Madrid, and later Bayern Munich, has transitioned into coaching following his retirement from playing. Starting with Real Madrid’s under-14 team in 2018, he later led Real Sociedad’s B team for three years.
In his first senior coaching role since October 2022, Alonso has guided Leverkusen from the lower ranks of the Bundesliga to a potential championship, putting them 10 points ahead of Bayern Munich with eight games left.
Leverkusen’s success under Alonso this season includes reaching the semi-finals of the German Cup and the quarter-finals of the Europa League. Hoeness speculated that further success over the next few years might make Alonso more open to considering other opportunities.
Names like Sporting Lisbon’s Ruben Amorim and Brighton’s Roberto de Zerbi have also been associated with the Liverpool managerial role.
