Bayer Leverkusen head coach Xabi Alonso says he doesn’t know “what’s going to happen in the future” after being asked whether he would succeed Jurgen Klopp as Liverpool manager.
In a surprise announcement on Friday morning, Klopp confirmed that he will leave Anfield at the end of the season, and asked about the rumours that he will replace the German in the hot seat, Alonso said:
“I have huge respect and admiration for Jurgen. I was very surprised. My focus is Leverkusen. At the moment I am really happy here. I still have a big motivation and I am very happy with the club and the team. I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future.”
“Speculation is normal, my focus is here on Bayer Leverkusen I am very happy at Leverkusen with my players at the moment.”
Alonso is the red-hot favourite to become Liverpool’s next manager
Sky Bet have priced the former Liverpool midfielder at 1/2 odds-on to replace Klopp in the Anfield dugout, with Brighton’s Roberto De Zerbi and Reds assistant manager Pep Lijnders distant second and third favourites behind the Spaniard.
It should be pointed out that the Reds have already announced that Lijnders will be leaving Merseyside at the end of the campaign, along with Klopp, to pursue his own managerial career, so it seems like he is already out of the running for the job.
Alonso’s release clause
There are reports from Germany that claim the 42-year-old has a clause in his contract with Leverkusen that would allow him to speak to Liverpool, Bayern Munich or Real Madrid if an approach is made.
While Real are not looking for a new manager after Carlo Ancelotti committed his future to the La Liga giants, Bayern could be seeking a new head coach at the end of the season if Thomas Tuchel fails to win the title.
It could mean that Liverpool will have to fight it out with Bayern for Alonso if the Reds’ owners FSG decide that he is the preferred candidate.
