Xabi Alonso is the perfect candidate to replace Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager, according to former Red Germain Pennant. Alonso, 42, is seen as the favorite to succeed Klopp, who announced on Friday that he will step down at the end of the season. The shock news led to immediate speculation about who would be the 56-year-old’s successor, with Alonso’s name soon thrown into the limelight.
Alonso, who established himself as one of the world’s best midfielders during his time at Anfield, including winning the Champions League and FA Cup, is now also establishing himself as a manager.
With Bayer Leverkusen currently top of the Bundesliga and Bayern Munich in second place, Alonso’s transformative gestures at the Bay Arena have caught the eye of the biggest names in European football. And Pennant, who played for Liverpool alongside Alonso in the 2007 Champions League final, has backed his former team-mate to get the job done. “My first choice at Liverpool would have to be Xabi Alonso,” he told Sir Ping, as quoted by DAZN.
“He is destroying the competition in Germany. Is it dangerous because I am new to management? Yes, but Klopp is new to the Premier League after doing well in Germany. But the way Bayer Leverkusen plays makes it the favorite of Liverpool”.
Klopp left Merseyside after nine years in charge, during which he received every accolade possible. That makes it difficult to find a successor who lives up to expectations, said Pennant, a former extremist. But he believes Alonso will be welcomed back. “It is very difficult to replace Klopp,” he said.
“No matter who is nominated, rumors about him are bound to circulate. If we don’t get Pep Guardiola, we can’t fill Klopp’s shoes. “He (Alonso) was a legend at Liverpool so if he came to Anfield he would be loved straight away. [Stephen] It would be like Gerrard coming home, but I think Alonso is the best option.
“Alonso was so cool and calm. It didn’t matter where he was, he could handle it.” He is such a great guy! Leverkusen is not a small club. Beating Bayern is already a huge burden and they are handling it well. “Right now, he’s my first choice.”
