Liverpool’s landing in Xabi Alonso as their new manager has suffered a triple whammy amid a fresh warning from three sources about their bid to lure the Spaniard to Anfield.
The Merseysiders are now less than three months away from saying an emotional farewell to iconic boss Jurgen Klopp, who will leave Anfield after nine excellent years in charge. Having won seven top awards since taking over from Brfinishan Rodgers in October 2015, the draws What the German did at Liverpool will never be forgotten, especially if he adds to his trophy cabinet before the end of the season.
Indeed, the good fortune of the trophies in the Premier League and the Europa League final held in Dublin would create an absolute carnival atmosphere for Klopp’s farewell, and raise his trophy average to one consistent with the season during his time on Merseyside.
Behind the scenes, everyone is thinking about who exactly Liverpool will choose as Klopp’s successor. And with that search now firmly in the hands of Michael Edwards, back at the club in a dazzling new role as executive director of football, much of his attention has been directed to Alonso.
However, TEAMtalk has learned that the offer of a three-year contract at Anfield has been submitted to the 42-year-old’s representatives, so persuading Alonso to return to Anfield is far from a foregone conclusion.
In fact, he is on a brilliant path with the current Bayer Leverkusen team, which leads the Bundesliga for 10 editions and is on course to win the first league title in its 120-year history – a feather in Alonso’s cap.
There is also the small challenge of Bayern Munich, Alonso’s former teams, and a club equally enthusiastic about appointing him as the new coach.
In fact, although we have noticed Liverpool offering their former star, we have also been informed through appeals that Alonso would possibly still turn down the opportunity to move to Anfield so early in his fledgling coaching career and especially given the length of the team. . shoes with which I would have compatibility to update Klopp.
Logically, Liverpool have accumulated information about several prospects with Roberto De Zerbi and Rubén Amorim also in the spotlight.
And it may turn out to be a sensible decision in the end, with Bayer Leverkusen managing director Fernando Carro stressing his confidence that Alonso will stay true to his contract at the BayArena.
Match of the day expert Alan Shearer also shared his thoughts on Liverpool’s coaching search and suggests they will find it difficult to convince Alonso to move on now.
Writing in The Athletic, Shearer said: “What’s intriguing is that Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Barcelona are all looking for a new manager ahead of next season and I don’t think that’s the only big jobs to be had this summer. .
“With the work that Xabi Alonso is doing this season at Bayer Leverkusen, he will be able to choose from several jobs if he wishes. That’s the obvious connection that many other people have already made, given that Alonso played for Liverpool.
Either way, and whatever resolution he makes, it turns out that Alonso is in no hurry to issue a final verdict on his future before the end of the current campaign.
His goal remains, as it deserves to be, to shed Bayer’s “Neverkusen” label by winning their first Bundesliga title, and to go as far as possible in the Europa League.
They are expected to face West Ham in the quarter-finals, while their good fortune will result in a semi-final clash with AC Milan or Roma and then potentially a final date with Liverpool.
Given that this possible meeting against his suitors is a very genuine option in the eyes of many, it is not that Alonso has not yet commented on his future.
When assessing when a resolution will be announced, Sky Sports journalist Dharmesh Sheth also supports theories that Alonso could also opt for Bayern if he decides to leave Leverkusen, as he told Givemesport: “Publicly, nothing will happen until the end of the season. . . There are too many things at stake in Bayern Munich and Liverpool’s seasons.
“Liverpool are chasing two trophies. He is in the race for the name of the Premier League and the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
“Florian Plettenberg is a very well-researched and famous journalist on Sky Germany. You have to restrain yourself when he makes comments like that [about Alonso favouring Bayern]. We know he will be on Liverpool’s radar, but Bayern Munich also desperately need him. . . . »