The sudden announcement that coach Jurgen Klopp will leave the club at the end of the season, with a contract that runs through June 2026, took the world by surprise.At the same time, the excitement is building about who will succeed the great German manager.
While the names of candidates from various fields, including Xabi Alonso, Roberto De Zerbi, and Julian Nagelsmann, are all in the fray, the former Liverpool midfielder is seen as the frontrunner, and many supporters are hoping that he will take over due to his success in his current role.
Former England U-21 international Jermaine Pennant, who retired in 2018 after three years with the club from 2006 to 2009, is the biggest proponent of the former Spain midfielder to take over the helm and is a great admirer of his skills at Bayer Leverkusen.
“My first choice for Liverpool has to be Xabi Alonso. He’s ripping the league apart in Germany,”
“Is it risky because he’s so new to management? Yes, but Klopp was new to the Premier League after doing well in Germany. But the way he has Bayer Leverkusen playing makes him Liverpool’s favourite.”
“It’s so hard to replace Klopp. It doesn’t matter who gets nominated, there will be murmurs about them. To fill Klopp’s boots is near enough impossible unless you get a Pep Guardiola.”
“He [Alonso] was a legend at Liverpool so to come to Anfield, he’d be automatically loved straight away. It would be the equivalent of [Steven] Gerrard coming home but I think Alonso is the best selection.”
“Alonso was so cool and calm, it didn’t matter where he was he could handle it. He’s such a cool guy! Leverkusen are no small club, to be topping Bayern is already a lot of pressure and he’s handling that well.”
Liverpool Echo