Liverpool have been linked with Xabi Alonso as they look to replace Jurgen Klopp at the end of the season. According to Santi Auna of Foot Mercato, Manchester United have signed Alonso from Bayer Leverkusen for the first time. They made a move for the former midfielder shortly after Klopp decided to leave the club. Alonso is at the top of the list of people who want to replace the German coach.
He impressed at Leverkusen, where he is currently overseeing an unbeaten season in the Bundesliga. But the former Liverpool star insisted he is happy at the BayArena. He will be hoping to end Bayern’s 11-year run in the Bundesliga with his side’s 3-0 win over Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich yesterday (February 10). Alonso has also impressed the hierarchy at the Allianz Arena, who may have to decide on Tuchel’s future.
His side have struggled this season and are second in the Bundesliga, five points behind Leverkusen. Liverpool will enter a new era this summer following Klopp’s departure and the end of his nine-year reign at Anfield. His coaching staff and recruitment team are also leaving the Merseyside giants. Alonso could make an emotional return to the club where he enjoyed great success as a player. He made 210 appearances for Manchester United over five years, winning four major trophies with the Premier League giants.
Schweinsteiger has had his say on speculation linking the Spaniard with a hot seat at Anfield. The German believes his dream is to coach Liverpool”I know him and I’m sure his dream is to manage Liverpool.” “I’m sure he will leave Leverkusen in the summer.”The announcement that Klopp is leaving the Merseysiders has shocked the footballing world. He is coming off a fantastic season in which his team topped the Premier League. However, Alonso was immediately seen as a front-runner to replace Klopp given his Anfield links.
He introduced a very exciting brand of football to Leverkusen and achieved 44 wins in 68 games for the Bundesliga club. Die Werkself may have found its successor. Reports from Spain suggest (via the source above) that Julen Lopetegui will join. The former Madrid manager has been out of a job since leaving Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer.
